The Lourdes grotto was made in 1936 at the request of the Mother Superior of the Sisters Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sisters Servants lived and worked in the convent from 1901-1986. Among other things, they established an orphanage for children and a convent farm here. In 1995, a fire caused severe damage to the convent. A brasserie later opened here.
In 1965, the Lourdes grotto was moved closer to the monastery. This allowed the grotto to receive more sunlight and to have flowers planted around it. Louisa Maria Elisabeth (Lisa) Gijsen – Van der Schoor tended to the grotto for many years. The Lourdes grotto is located in the wooded park of the former Abshoven monastery.
A full restoration of the grotto took place in 2017. This was done with monumental stones and the work was carried out by the sons of Lisa Gijsen – Van der Schoor. On 8 September 2018 (the feast day of the Nativity of Mary), the grotto was consecrated again, this time by priest Harry Hubert Joseph de Rouw (1937-2021). This was done in the presence of many, including the then 91-year-old Lisa Gijsen – Van der Schoor.
In the Lourdes grotto, a depiction of Our Lady of Lourdes stands centrally; a statue of seer Bernadette is absent. In front of the grotto is a bench, made by a neighbour of Mrs. Lisa Gijsen - Van der Schoor. Next to the statue of Mary is a memorial stone dating from the year the Lourdes grotto opened, 1936. The plaque bears the name Jan Philip Coonen (1901-1968), mayor of Munstergeleen (1931-1938).
Address: Abshoven, opposite number 58 or park your car at the brasserie, Abshoven 35, 6151GC Munstergeleen.
~~~
