200 rugby players on a pilgrimage to Lourdes

The sight of these big men who are here to pray to Mary, like Bernadette, the little saint of the Pyrenees, is pretty striking!

For the first time, some 200 rugby players from the Pacific region participated in a pilgrimage to Lourdes from May 30 - June 2, 2019. Among them were internationally famous players such as New Zealanders Dan Leo and Ephraim Taukafa, and prop position Laurent Pakihivatau.

In addition to the traditional devotions at the grotto–these big fellows had to stoop to avoid hitting their heads on the rocky wall—this trip included a friendly match between the local rugby team FC Lourdais XV and the Pacific Legends team led by Sam Tuitupou, who used to play for the All Blacks… no less! 

Aleteia