ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE FAITHFUL
FROM THE DIOCESE OF TARBES AND LOURDES (FRANCE)

Saturday, 11 December 2004

Dear Brother in the Episcopate,
Dear Friends,

I am pleased to greet you and offer a special greeting to Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes and Lourdes. I remember with emotion my pilgrimage to the Grotto of Massabielle and thank you for your warm welcome, which enabled me to meditate near Our Lady on this 150th Anniversary of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

I thank all the people who contributed to the success of my stay. My thoughts go to the sick and to all the volunteers at the Shrines. I also join all the pilgrims who have come to entrust their intentions to Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, inviting each one to study at her school. As I entrust you to Our Lady and to St Bernadette, I impart my Apostolic Blessing to you and to all the members of the Diocese and those who work at the Shrines.