Website offers prayer by proxy for pope's visit to Lourdes

PARIS (AFP) - Want to be part of Pope John Paul II's pilgrimage to the French "miracle" town of Lourdes but can't make the trip? A religious website is offering prayer by proxy and long-distance candle lighting.

Croire.com (croire means 'to believe' in French) has launched a service for the Internet-savvy faithful -- all e-mail prayers received by Saturday will be taken in hard-copy form to the grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes.

It was at the grotto in 1858 that 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous saw a series of visions of the Virgin Mary. The site now draws six million pilgrims a year.

For five euros (6.15 dollars), the faithful can purchase a candle that will be placed at the grotto. The price also includes a booklet detailing the official events of the pope's weekend visit.

The 84-year-old John Paul II will arrive in France on Saturday for a two-day visit to Lourdes marking the 150th anniversary of the proclamation by Pope Pius IX of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

The high point of the pontiff's trip is expected to be a mass attended by some 300,000 pilgrims next Sunday, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary -- her ascent into heaven.