The large Grotto of Lourdes is located in the wooded grounds of the former churchyard, to the southwest of the pilgrimage church dedicated to Saint John the Apostle. One stone states that the grotto was donated in 1955. Another stone reads that the statue is dedicated to the shrine of Lourdes, in the Marian year of 1954.
The image of Mary has a circle around her head with the French text “Je suis l’Immaculee Conception” (I am the Immaculate Conception) on it. During an apparition in 1858, Mary told Bernadette Soubirous, in the local dialect, that She is the Immaculate Conception.
Bernadette the seamstress has been given a spot all the way to the left in the Lourdes grotto against the fencing.
The grotto is partly built with stones from the former church that stood here centuries ago. Candles cannot be lit at the Lourdes grotto. In the large niche of the grotto stands a small, white altar with flowers on it. Next to the grotto, by the statue of Bernadette, there is a bench. Plants grow in front of the grotto. A low fence keeps visitors at a distance from the grotto.
The whole presents a well-maintained impression and is more than worth visiting.
Address: Am Klostergarten, 49835 Wietmarschen, in the state of Lower Saxony, not far from the border with the Netherlands.
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