Holy Water Font

Fr. Benny de Guzman, SJ blessed the shrine on Sunday, 29 March 2009. He also blessed the holy water font, which has flowing water and a plaque in white marble with the words of the Sign of the Cross, a reminder to all that the Lourdes Grotto is a sacred site and at the foot of the hill begins the pilgrimage up the hill.

The gravel washout floor enhances the space and so does the wrought iron grille surrounding the image of the Sagrada Familia. 

These improvements on the grotto implement a master plan for a major overhaul of the Lourdes Grotto in preparation for its centennial in 2013. Funds came from voluntary contributions by generous donors. Voluntary donations are welcome, please contact:

 

Mirador Jesuit Villa, 

Mirador Hill 2600 Baguio City, P.O. Box 143, Baguio City

Telephone: +63-74 300-4789; mobile; +63-0917 607-1392

Email: miradorvilla@yahoo.com

Attn: FATIMA

Please make all checks in the name of Mirador Jesuit Villa or Mision de la Compania de Jesus 

Newest Feature: Shrine to the Holy Family

A Shrine to the Holy Family  has always been a feature of the Lourdes Grotto. For many decades the shrine has been neglected and an antique painted tile image of the Sagrada Familia had suffered much deterioration and damage. But now the image has been replaced with a new one from Portugal and embellished with terra cotta tiles and painted floral insets from Puebla, Mexico. Cast iron park lights, a new washout gravel surface for the floor and plant boxes finished in Kennon basalt riprap enhance the shrine area. Built were a flowing holy water font and a place for putting candles. The antique stonework, which had been whitewashed countless times over the years has been cleaned, consolidated, waterproofed and sealed with clear polymer. A niche beside the shrine has a piece of rock from the Holy Land, embedded on the wall.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

During the fiesta Mass, a light rain fell but ended abruptly. At the end of the Mass, a rainbow appeared in the sky.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

A light blue ribbon was attached to the image. The image trailed down to the lower reaches of the Grotto, building a connection tangible connection between the image and the visitor to the shrine who prayed below the grotto. In the evening, star-shaped capiz shell lanterns were lit.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

The image of the Virgin was veiled for the celebration.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

Blue and white flags with the logo of Mirador Hill, an M with a Cross, and a kneeler draped in light blue gave a festive air to the Grotto.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

The altar before Mass. The altar was placed at the Mass area constructed in 2007 and first used for an Easter Sunday morning service. The terraced area faces Baguio City.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

Scenes from the fiesta celebration, 2 - 11 February. The congregation before Mass

Details of candle stand and water feature

Under construction are the candle stand and water feature. Made of Kenon basalt and crystalline limestone from Mirador Hill, these features contribute to the ambiance of the place. Construction work on the Holy Family shrine is expected to be completed by March in time for Holy Week, when pilgrims in large numbers visit the Lourdes Grotto.

Candle stand and water feature

Two features enhance the shrine. Built inside what was once a plant box is a circular well for candles. 

The well design prevents candles from being extinguished in high winds. In front of the candle stand is a water fountain that reminds visitors that they are entering a shrine, a sacred space.

Shrine to the Holy Family

This is another view of the shrine area. The floor is  being resurfaced in gravel washout with a glazed terra cotta trim. The image of the Holy Family is inside the arched niche. This image is on glazed Portuguese tiles and replaces an older piece from Europe which has been damaged and degraded. The original piece is undergoing conservation and will be kept indoor at Mirador Villa because it is quite fragile.

The replacement image came from a ceramics and tile shop in Macau, which specializes in Portuguese tiles and azulejos. The new image has a border of azulejos, terra cotta, and floral tiles from Mexico.

Renovations at the Holy Family Shrine

A much neglected shrine to the Holy Family at the base of the stairs leading to the Lourdes Grotto is being renovated on the occasion of the centennial celebration of Baguio City. Baguio received its charter in September 1909 and was planned as a hill station, where government officials could take a much needed respite from the heat of summers in Manila. In 1905, the American colonial government put properties for auction and the Jesuits acquired Mirador Hill in May of that year. By 1907, they had built a house on the hill's crest. In 1913, a shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes was built. The stairs leading up to the grotto was completed in 1918.

This is the foot of Mirador Hill, where the shrine to the Holy Family is being repaired.