In 1934, the Lourdes Grotto was built by Jef van Dessel (*1903), a former police officer from Aarschot, following a bicycle pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Lourdes in the south of France.
The statue of Mary stands at a height of approximately 2 metres in a niche, the edge of which is decorated with flowers. In front of the Lourdes grotto is a small effigy of the seer Bernadette Soubirous. Dozens of plaques thanking Mary have been affixed to the Lourdes grotto. Flowers and plants adorn the Lourdes grotto in a very colourful manner. A fence encloses the grotto. The whole makes an extremely well-maintained impression, which requires daily maintenance work. A great compliment! On 15 August 1934, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Lourdes grotto was consecrated. In 2011, the Lourdes grotto was purchased by the city of Aarschot.
The estate also features a chapel dedicated to the “Holy Virgins of Brusthem”. These virgins are also known as the “Three Sisters”, named Bertilia of Marolles/Maroeuil (+687), Eurtropia of Reims (+407), and Genevieve of Paris (+512). At the bottom front of the chapel, a plaque is affixed with the text: “Holy Virgins chosen by the Lord, hear the prayers of those who kneel before You here”. The chapel contains many small statues of saints.
Hanging on a wall is a large sign with the text:
“Here in this lost patch of ground
where “Our Lady” found a place
The cave where big and small
reeds 89 years he will be at her will
Here one finds healing and comfort
Joy and peace for every child.”
On the grounds stands a calvary, built in 1937, with a large cross of peace at the top. The reason for this was increasing reports of an impending war (World War II 1939-1945).
In 1957, a chapel was built depicting Saint Rita.
On a glass wall, prayers can be read to Saint Martha, as well as invocations to God, the Holy Cross of Christ, and the Virgin Mary.
Address: Grotstraat, to the right of number 104, 3200 Aarschot.
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