New
New
Year 10
AQA

Pilgrimage to Lourdes

I can explain the role and importance of Lourdes as a place of Christian pilgrimage.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Pilgrimage to Lourdes

I can explain the role and importance of Lourdes as a place of Christian pilgrimage.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A pilgrimage is a journey with religious significance, usually undertaken by religious believers.
  2. Lourdes, in southwestern France, is an important place of pilgrimage for many Christian.
  3. In 1858, Bernadette Soubirous reported 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near Lourdes.
  4. Lourdes is considered a place of healing and there have been over 70 recognised miracles that have taken place.
  5. Many Christians visit Lourdes today to seek healing, grow closer to God and to connect with other Christians.

Keywords

  • Lourdes - a place of pilgrimage where the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette in a series of visions and it is claimed that miraculous healings have taken place

  • Miracle - an extraordinary act or event that defies the laws of nature

  • Pilgrimage - a religious journey to a holy site/sacred place; it is an act of worship and devotion

Common misconception

Only Roman Catholic Christians go to Lourdes.

Many Roman Catholic Christians do go to Lourdes, but all people, regardless of religion or denomination, are welcome to visit Lourdes.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Pilgrimage to Lourdes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers may wish to do further research on Lourdes to enhance knowledge of Lourdes by visiting www.lourdes-france.org.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
The Eucharist is a celebration and remembrance of Jesus' and resurrection.

Correct Answer: death, death

Q2.
What does the bread represent in the Eucharist?

Jesus’ teachings
Jesus’ family
Correct answer: Jesus’ body

Q3.
What term describes the Catholic belief that the bread and wine become Jesus’ body and blood?

transcendence
Correct answer: transubstantiation
transfiguration

Q4.
How often do many Christians celebrate the Eucharist?

only during Christmas
only on Easter Sunday
Correct answer: regularly, often weekly

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its meaning.

Correct Answer:Lourdes,a place of pilgrimage where the Virgin Mary appeared

a place of pilgrimage where the Virgin Mary appeared

Correct Answer:pilgrimage,a religious journey to a holy site

a religious journey to a holy site

Correct Answer:miracle,an extraordinary act or event that defies the laws of nature

an extraordinary act or event that defies the laws of nature

Q2.
Why do religious believers go on pilgrimage?

Correct answer: to get blessings and deepen their faith
to go sightseeing
to escape daily life

Q3.
Who did Bernadette Soubirous claim to see in her visions?

the Holy Spirit
Correct answer: the Virgin Mary
Jesus

Q4.
In 1858, Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary in a near Lourdes.

Correct Answer: grotto, Grotto

Q5.
Who is allowed to visit Lourdes?

only the French
only the elderly
Correct answer: everyone