A catechesis in mosaics
Mgr Jacques Perrier invites us to meditate

These mosaics represent the five “Luminous Mysteries” which Pope John Paul II wished to add to the Joyful Mysteries (on the childhood of Jesus), the Sorrowful Mysteries (on the Passion), and the Glorious Mysteries (after Easter).

The Baptism in the Jordan
The Baptism given by John is a sign of repentance and conversion. Jesus starts His public life by receiving this baptism: he has no sin to be forgiven but he came to save men from the evil which is in them, from sin. He is the Lamb of God who carries and takes away the sin of the world. To remove it, he must first carry it. He is also the Beloved who comes to accomplish the will of the Father which is to save us.

The Transfiguration
Jesus took three of his disciples with him up the mountain: Peter, James and John, those who will be witnessing His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. At the hour of the Transfiguration, Jesus is completely surrounded by the light. He radiates the light which is in Him, the divinity which he shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The three disciples are astounded. Above them, Moses and Elijah represent the Old Testament: they recognise in Jesus the accomplishment of the Promise.

The Salvation
On the right ramp, men bring down a paralytic on his stretcher in front of Jesus. They remind us of the Hospitaliers of Lourdes. The scene takes place in Capernaum. “On seeing their faith”, Jesus says to the paralytic: “Your sins are forgiven”. The crowd is scandalised because Jesus takes on himself a divine power. To show he is not an impostor, Jesus cures the paralytic. God wants the salvation of the entire person.
On the left ramp, Jesus on the evening of Easter day, appears to his apostles and gives them, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the power to forgive sins. In Lourdes, many pilgrims receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

On the main doors:

The Wedding at Cana
Amongst the Luminous Mysteries, this is the only one where the presence of Mary is mentioned in the Gospels. "They have no wine", She said to Jesus. The wine represents joy and love. Then referring to her Son, She said to the servants: "Do whatever He tells you". These are her last words in the Gospel. Mary says the same thing to us today. Jesus changes water into wine: He opens the doors to joy and everlasting love. Nonetheless, he opens them by allowing a soldier to pierce his side with a spear: "And blood and water came out".

Above the doors:

The Eucharist
The Institution of the Eucharist is represented at the top of the façade, on either side. Cana anticipated the Eucharist which Jesus institutes on the eve of His Passion: "This is my body given up, this is my blood poured out". Like the Christians of the first centuries, the apostles receive the Eucharist in their hands covered by a veil, by respect. Judas, on the contrary, holds on tight to his purse, with bare hands.

The sun
The sun is the symbol of the light. It is red, the colour of blood, but also because we cannot look at the midday sun.

The palm tree
The palm tree is sign of life and abundance: its dates can be eaten all year round.

  
 

Inscriptions : The words of the Virgin Mary in Cana - "Do whatever He tells you" - correspond to the Christ’s command to his apostles when He instituted the Eucharist: "Do this in memory of me".
Another inscription, more discreet, recalls that these mosaics are a tribute to Pope John Paul II, pilgrim in Lourdes in 1983 and 2004. He had concluded the meditation on the Luminous Mysteries on 14th August 2004 where the new mosaics now are.

Biblical references for further meditation: Matthew 3: 1-17 / Luke 9: 28-36 / Mark 2: 1-12 / John 20: 19-23; John 2: 1-12/ Luke 22: 19-2