One of the most remarkable Lourdes grottoes is located in West Flanders' Wevelgem. It is not a traditional Lourdes grotto, which is certainly also related to the past and the faith of the inhabitants.
The large grotto is wide and high, built on part of the site of the former cemetery. A bunker also stood on the site of the grotto during the Great War / First World War (1914-1918). The grotto is partly made of stones from subterranean corridors of the bunker. Below the statue of Lourdes in the right-hand niche of the grotto, a stone has been built in bearing the inscription “Wevelgem aan Maria 1944-1946”. This statue stands behind an ornate grille.
In the cave stands a statue of the kneeling, praying visionary Bernadette Soubirous. A stone from the French town of Lourdes has also been fixed here. The inscription reads: “stone from the niche of the grotto of Lourdes”. In the large, lower niche stands an altar with small statues, including one of Mary. Candles burn near these statues. Dark niches can also be distinguished here.
In West Flanders, the image of Our Lady of Fatima is also beloved. This is also evident in Wevelgem, because on top of the Lourdes grotto stands a statue accompanied by the text “Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.".
In 1946, the Lourdes Grotto was consecrated by Valeer-Albrecht Pil (1885-1975), parish priest of Wevelgem (1941-1960). He was the initiator of the construction of the Lourdes Grotto. The grotto is a major expression of gratitude that Wevelgem and its inhabitants came through the Second World War (1939-1945) safely.
The Lourdes grotto in Wevelgem is certainly worth a visit.
Address: van Lode de Boninestraat, to Grote Markt, behind the church of St. Hilarius, 8560 Wevelgem.
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