The 150th anniversary of the first of the reported apparitions in Lourdes is being celebrated today.
On 11 February 1858 Bernadette Soubirous claimed to see the first of 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
The small French town will welcome millions of pilgrimages as part of the celebrations this year.
It is also reported that Pope Benedict will attend the celebrations.
An estimated 80,000 Irish pilgrims will be among the 8m people to visit the shrine at the base of the Pyrenees this year.
