Abstract
This study is based on a survey conducted among pilgrims visiting Lourdes from many countries of the Third World. In June and July 1984, sixty people were questioned in forty interviews. Many of these interviewees are active in their churches. They were asked four questions. (1) What brought you to Christianity? (2) What is your place in the local or national Church? (3) What do you think of the French Christians? (4) What matters have you been keen to discuss with French Christians?
Analysis of the results highlighted the persistence and weight of familial or religious traditions and of popular forms of piety, and illustrated a strong inclination towards ecumenical meetings. Lourdes is valued as a place for dialogue, in order to establish an effective Catholic society. Our inquiry would seem to justify the foundation in Lourdes of a permanent centre for intercultural Christian dialogue, a sort of observatory of religious knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.