Maria-ter-Heide is a hamlet in Brasschaat. Besides the Lourdes grotto at the Bredabaan, there is a second one at the Eikendreef in the garden behind the Service Center. It is a small Lourdes grotto, beautifully situated in the forest. What is now the buildings of the Service Center used to belong to a convent of the Sisters of the Marist Order, or the Congregation of Mary. The sisters came to Maria-ter-Heide in 1924 and stayed there until 2005; they live and work in the convent with school facilities. It is believed that the Lourdes grotto was built around 1925.
There are no candles burning at the Lourdes grotto and the statue of visionary Bernadette Soubirous is missing. There is a bench in front of the grotto.
The image of Mary is in a niche and needs some maintenance, if I visit it.
The Lourdes Cave can be found following the following route. After Eikendreef 18, the last building of the Service Center, there is a parking lot. From this lot, follow a path that runs behind the buildings. After 100 meters, turn right into the forest and behind the 2007 kiosk you will find the Lourdes Cave.
At the parking lot, at the end of the Service Center, there is a chapel dedicated to the Great War/World War I from 1914 to 1918. The text reads: “In May, Mary’s month of the terrible war year, while we struggled with sorrow and grief, this chapel was founded and dedicated to her who has always been a comfort to the people of 1914-1918.’.
Address: Eikendreef 18, 2930 Maria-ter-Heide.
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