The Lourdes Grotto was built in 1941 using rubble from bombed buildings in Rotterdam during the Second World War (1939-1945). The aim of building the grotto was to implore the Virgin Mary that Waspik would emerge unharmed from the war. The initiative for its construction came from Waltherus Mattheus (Wout) Savelkouls (1913-1989), who also oversaw its realisation. The grotto was blessed in 1941 by Arnoldus Franciscus (Arnold) Diepen (1860-1943), Bishop of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (1919-1943). In the 1940s and 1950s, many services were held at the grotto.
The Lourdes grotto was part of a church and convent complex for the Carmelites. The church and the adjoining convent were completed and consecrated by Bishop Diepen in 1927. The church is dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. In 1987, the convent was dissolved, and in 2012, the Saint Thérèse Church was deconsecrated. A large statue of Saint Thérèse stands in the church. After the church closed, this statue was given a new location behind the church, near the Lourdes grotto. To accommodate this, the grotto was enlarged on the left side with a new niche, making it unique. The design for the niche came from a daughter of Wout Savelkouls, the initiator and builder of the grotto. At this Lourdes grotto, two saints have been placed with Our Lady: the visionary Bernadette Soubirous and the Doctor of the Church, Thérèse of Lisieux. The grotto will be reconsecrated.
The statue of Mary stands to the right in a niche at about two metres high, diagonally in front of her is the image of the praying and kneeling Bernadette, and to her left is the standing Theresa. In the large niche is an altar, and on the edge is inscribed the greeting “Ave Maria”. Below the altar top, the letter “M” for Mary can be seen. Candles can be lit and flowers placed in this niche. In front of the Lourdes grotto are benches. The whole impression is one of being well-maintained.
The monastery and church buildings will be repurposed to create apartments with extensive care facilities.
Since the church closed, the grotto has also been used for commemorations of the deceased.
The Lourdes grotto is a national monument and is located behind the church building, in front of the cemetery, in Waspik-Zuid.
Address: Carmelietenstraat 58, 5165 AL Waspik.
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