Covid-19 requires, the Catholic sanctuary of Lourdes remained deserted this Easter weekend, for the second year in a row.

Sunday mass brought together only 1,500 people, 10 times less than normal.

The faithful were, however, able to follow the celebrations on the sanctuary's Youtube channel. 

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Only a few hundred pilgrims walked the paths leading to the miraculous cave this weekend.

A straw when we know that in normal times, no less than 15,000 to 20,000 people flock to Lourdes throughout Holy Week and for the Easter weekend.

But for the second year in a row, the city remained almost empty, coronavirus obliges.

"It hurts the heart. We see a disaster city with all the hotels and shops closed. Easter Monday, it should be crowded", laments Hélène at the microphone of Europe 1. 

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A few hundred faithful nevertheless took advantage of the last weekend before reconfinement, like Jean and his wife, who had just arrived from the Landes.

"We took advantage of the last hours of freedom to come. It is more than ever the moment. It is perhaps even more moving and more revealing of the faith which animates the pilgrims who come to Lourdes at this moment."

Continuous prayers "for those who are reclusive"

Sunday morning, 1,500 faithful attended mass, 10 times less than normal.

David Torchala, communications director of the sanctuary, is not dismantled.

"We do not lose hope, we reinvent ourselves, we adapt. We make sure to keep this link with people, this link of communion with those who could not come. In the cave, the chaplains ensure continuous prayer to be able to carry the prayer of all those who are reclusive and confined to their homes. "

The sanctuary's Youtube channel, which broadcasts the celebrations, "has won the loyalty" of no less than 250,000 subscribers and has accumulated 59 million views since its creation, while its Facebook page is approaching 800,000 followers, rejoices David Torchala. 

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But the prospect remains grim for the city's shrines, which only live on donations and have lost more than 4 million euros.

Last year at Easter, in full confinement, Notre-Dame de Lourdes was closed to the public for the first time in its history, for this key moment of the Catholic faith which marks the start of seven months of pilgrimages.