Grotto
written by ymmij
on April 27th, 2008
(2 votes)
This Grotto is a replica of the one in Lourdes, France. It is located in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan. They also built a replica of the Church, at least externally. The gothic design is very unusual and not typical of basilicas in the Philippines. It is a place of prayer and pilgrimage.
The church and grotto was built by a lady named Aniceta Guanzon who was cured of cancer when she visited the Grotto in Lourdes, so she promised to “bring” the Grotto back home as a sign of gratitude and help people foster the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, specially to those who cannot afford to go abroad. There have been many cures and miracles in the “local” Grotto as well. The local Grotto also has a small spring where people piously get the water and use it to bathe or sprinkle it in their body’s, hoping and prayer for relief, if not, a complete cure from their ailments. There is a spiral staircase that leads to the image of our Lady. The devotees can touch the statue and utter a short prayer. On the wall of the nave, is also an original stone from the Grotto in Lourdes. The place is definitely very conducive to prayer and meditation. I’m sure the devotees will be rewarded spiritually, if not physically.
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