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.

Lourdes Fiesta Novena 2009

The Novena to our Lady of Lourdes at the Lourdes Grotto on Mirador Hill Baguio began on 2 February, Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. The last two days of the novena and the Fiesta Mass on 11 February will be a special triduum for healing to be led by Fr. Benedicto de Guzman.

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes has been declared by the Holy Father as a Day for the Sick. This is a special day for praying for healing of soul, mind and body.

In the mornings, Fr. de Guzman will be at the Grotto for confession. This will be an occasion for Reconciliation with God and the neighbor. 

From February 9 - 11 (Monday to Wednesday)  the afternoon the schedule is as follows:

1:45 PM  Assembly at the foot or Mirador Hill at the Shrine to the Holy Family.

2:00 Stations of the Cross. Route: Dominican Road up to the Lourdes Grotto

3:30 Recitation of the Rosary and Novena

4:00 Holy Mass.

On Wednesday, 11 February, the Fiesta Mass will be a Mass of Healing. 

4:00 Fiesta Mass and Procession.

Those who are not able to walk the Stations of the Cross may wait at the Mass area of the Grotto.

Praying at the Grotto

The Lourdes Grotto is a place of prayer. When visiting the Grotto many pray the Rosary or during Holy Week do the Stations of the Cross. Pope John Paul II added five mysteries to the Rosary, called the Luminous Mysteries or the Mystery of Light, for a total of 20 mysteries. The mysteries are: 

• The Joyful Mystery (Recited on Monday and Saturday): The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), the Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56), the Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2: 1-21), the Presentation (Luke 2:22-38), the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
  
• The Sorrowful Mystery (Tuesday and Friday): The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26: 36-56), the Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26), the Crowning with Thorns (27:27-31), the Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:32), and the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56)
• The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday): The Resurrection (John 20:1-9), the Ascension (Luke 24: 36-53), the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-41), the Assumption of Mary, the Coronation of Mary (Revelation 12:1)
• The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday): The Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3: 13-16), the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), The Proclamation of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-18), the Last Supper (Matthew 26)

References to the Bible have been added. You might want to read these Bible passages as a part of your praying the Rosary.

Holy Week at the Lourdes Grotto, 16-23 March 2008

Photos: Pilgrims at the Lourdes Grotto, Holy Week 2007

Holy Week began with Palm Sunday, 16 March. During this week we remember the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Lourdes Grotto becomes a center of pilgrimage, especially on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The road up the hill will be closed to vehicular traffic for the safety of the thousands who visit the Grotto and for the preservation of the quiet and prayerful atmosphere, which is proper to this week of prayer and meditation.

Prayer services will also be held at the Grotto. Inquire at the Mirador Jesuit Villa for the schedule.