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Georges-Fernand Dunot de Saint-Maclou [1828-1891]... 

laid the foundation of the Bureau of Medical Observations in Lourdes in 1883... 

thus contributing to the dialogue between science and religion. 

Nobleman... who devoted his whole life to building... 

a bridge between reason and faith.

Dr. Dunot de Saint-Maclou, born in Ouézy, Calvados... 

lived all his life looking after other people, the poor, the Church, as his mission. 

As the health of his wife Marie-Sidonie worsened, he deemed it appropriate to leave Normandy to settle in Nice for its more favourable climate. He founded the St.Vincent de Paul Conferences which have helped many needy people. 

In 1874, a couple of friends moved to Lourdes and also founded a St.Vincent de Paul Conference. The doctor travelled there to participate in their meetings. In 1877, the health of his wife became so critical that his only hope seemed to be divine intervention. At the insistence of Marie-Sidonie, the couple went to Lourdes. 

However, his wife’s condition worsened. She received the sacraments from Father Peyramale. Father Rémi Sempé was with her, when on the evening of 26th August, she surrendered her soul to God.

Back in Nice, Dunot asked to join the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. 

He paid his board and lodging and supported the community by caring for the sick and giving French lessons to seminarians. In his daily prayers, the Mother of God had a place of honour. Mary became the lady of his heart. At the request of his Vincentian friends, from 1879, Dunot began to go to Lourdes every summer. 

On 19th August 1881, the first Hospitallers’ Committee was formed. Its members referred to themselves as Knights Hospitallers of Saint John (Order of Malta). It became necessary to offer Lourdes a service for the sick, especially for the poorest. On 25th February 1883, among the nine names of the Hospitaller Committee of Lourdes, appeared that of Baron Dunot of Saint-Maclou, serving at the Grotto. 

Now that pilgrims were being made welcome in an appropriate way, the focus turned to controlling the risk of fanatics, especially surrounding the spring, who would immediately claim a miracle at the merest suggestion of an improvement in well-being.

In 1883, as director of the Grotto, Dr. Dunot worked with the chapelains to take statements and meet those who declared themselves cured, in two nearby rooms furnished by the same people who had built the Rosary Basilica. 

The doctor divided his time between the Grotto and the Bureau of Medical Observations. He was already working out what should be done to help the hospitallers. Father Rémi Sempé understood that his skills were exceptional. Bishop Billère, bishop of Tarbes, held him in high esteem and offered him the opportunity to stay in Lourdes throughout the pilgrimage season. 

Baron Dunot of Saint-Maclou accepted, because he felt this new role to be a call from the Virgin. He moved to the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception in Lourdes, near the Grotto, not far from the Baths. He founded the Bureau of Medical Observations in 1883. 

During his presidency, an average of fifty cases per year were examined before a growing number of doctors. From 1883 to 1884, Dunot considered the organisation of a service for the hospitality. Thanks to his methods, Dr. Dunot de Saint-Maclou saved Lourdes from mass frenzy. 

[bron]