The Lourdes Grotto in Meerssen has a remarkable origin. In the early 20th century, the driving force was Helena Stevens (1865-1949), a devout follower of Mary, who lived in the street behind the grotto. The area of the Lourdes Grotto was formerly part of a garden and an outbuilding. Consequently, the grotto spans the width of Helena Stevens' property and is situated between two houses. After many years of looking after the grotto, Helena Stevens handed over its management to the Miners' Union, and later the neighbourhood association took care of the Marian work. Currently, the Stichting Lourdes Grot te Meerssen (The Lourdes Grotto Foundation of Meerssen) is responsible for the grotto.
Both on the right-hand side and the left-hand side, the cave has a passageway. The statue of Mary stands in a niche at approximately 2 metres high, and seer Bernadette Soubirous is depicted kneeling and praying in front of the cave. Mary has a halo, and above her head are the words “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Below the effigy are the words, in the dialect from the southern French region of Lourdes, which Mary spoke to Bernadette when she asked who the apparition was: “que soy era immaculada councepciou” (I am the Immaculate Conception). In the niche, diagonally below the effigy of Our Lady, there is a small altar and a few candles.
In 2013, the Lourdes Grotto was renovated and the statues of Mary and Bernadette were updated.
Address: Kookstraat, next to number 35, 6231KB Meerssen.
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