60,000 PILGRIMS GREET THE PAPAL LEGATE

WITH Cardinal Gerlier, Archbishop of Lyons, presiding as Papal Legate, and in the presence of some 60,000 pilgrims from this country, from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, the Lourdes Centenary opened on Tuesday in brilliant sunshine—"Our Lady's Weather".
At noon, the Holy Father broadcast the Angelus over Vatican Ra,dio.
Pilgrims gathered at the Grotto then heard from Bishop Theas of Tarbes and Lourdes the Pope's message for the opening of the Centenary, the message which appealed for "a supplication to rise from all sides towards God for the Church, for her freedom in areas where oppression rages, for her spread among all peoples, for the peace of the world."
Mass was said simultaneously in every church in France at the time that Mass was being celebrated in the open air before the Lourdes Basilica. A Triduum of prayer preceded the opening.
In Britain, many Cathedrals, churches and chapels had a special Mass on Tuesday attended by large congregations.
In Fatima. scene of other Apparitions of Our Lady (to three peasant children in 1917), a Pastoral letter read at High Mass called on Catholics of that diocese to join in commemorating the Appearances of Our Lady at Lourdes. All Bishops in Holland celebrated an evening Mass to open the Centenary Year.