Rededication of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
August 14, 2011
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| Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto 2011 |
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| Story of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at La Salle |
The largest and oldest grotto on the grounds of La Salle Retreat Center was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes on September 8, 1891. This beautiful monument was built under the supervision of Brother Alpinian, whose remains are buried in the nearby Brothers cemetery. Brother Alpinian’s handiwork is a lasting memorial to his love for Our Most Blessed Mother and has been an inspiration to visitors for well over 100 years.
La Salle’s archives indicate that the first outdoor Corpus Christi procession was made to the grotto in 1894. Through the years many such devotional expressions have graced this hill, and many enhancements have been made to the site. In recent years, electricity has been restored; the platform at the top of the grotto was rebuilt, and now includes a stone bench around three sides; and a wrought iron railing was i nstalled on the quaint stairs leading to the top. From this platform, visitors have an enchanting view of the surrounding hills and valleys. Several years ago, the left side of the grotto began to deteriorate. Support stones fell from near the bottom front of the grotto and large portion of the west side cascaded into the road leading around behind. This evidence that the structure was in danger of major failure led to the decision to completely restore the monument. Over the past several years, with the assistance of many, the grotto has been rebuilt.
In addition to the restoration, a truly major addition to the site is the Meditation Garden which now lies just below and east of the grotto—beautifying the surrounding area that had grown into an unkempt woods of old cedar trees and brush.
One final piece of the site’s history can be seen behind the grotto, where there is evidence of what once was the water reservoir for La Salle Institute. At one time, this structure went 12 feet down into the solid rock of the hillside and rose about six feet above. Water was pumped to this reservoir from a spring near Highway 109 and a well near the ball fields.
As we rededicate the grotto in 2011, it’s satisfying to know that people have been drawn to this holy ground for 120 years. All are encouraged to experience the beauty of this special place.
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