The sanctuary Saint-Régis de Lalouvesc will join the association of "Sanctuary Cities" on January 1st, 2020.

Saint-Régis de Lalouvesc

The Ardèche shrine becomes the nineteenth member of the French association of Sanctuary Cities. For Lalouvesc, a town of 450 inhabitants, this membership is a recognition of the work carried out in the sanctuary of Saint Jean-François Régis and Saint Thérèse Couderc.

Pierre Iratzoquy sj, rector of the basilica. "We are going to work with sanctuaries such as Lourdes, Mont-Saint-Michel or Sainte-Anne d'Auray. Our little shrine will be able to benefit from the experience of the eighteen other places that welcome so many pilgrims! ».

This registration as a "sanctuary town" is the result of a double approach by the Saint Regis Shrine and the local tourist office. Lalouvesc's application, prepared over several years, was unanimously accepted at the last meeting of the Association of Shrine Cities on Wednesday 4 December.

A place of spiritual renewal and accompaniment, the sanctuary is marked by Ignatian spirituality and is developing in particular the welcoming of families. A great celebration is organised every 16 June, the anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Regis, which took place in 1737. On the eve of the Assumption, a torchlight procession with the blessing of the children is organized from the fountain of Saint Regis to the basilica, while on August 15 an open-air mass is held in the pilgrim's park, gathering up to 3000 faithful.

> More about Saint Jean-François Régis and the sanctuary of Lalouvesc

> Praying with Saint Jean-François Régis: 28 cards to enter into the experience at Lalouvesc

> Discover in this video the life of Saint Jean-François Régis

Pierre Iratzoquy S.J.