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.

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.