Mary's Grotto

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Marian grotto in Remexio ( East Timor ) with the Holy Family

Cave-shaped shrines in which a portrait of the Virgin is placed are referred to as a Marian grotto . In some cases, natural rock ledges are also used. They mostly stand by the wayside or next to churches. Often these are so-called Lourdes grottos , which are modeled on the location of the Marian apparitions in Lourdes in southern France , the Grotto of Massabielle.

Marian grottos are often built to commemorate certain events or apparitions of the Virgin Mary, also as a votive offering . Again and again they are the destination of local pilgrimages.

Germany

Mariengrotte near the forest chapel , Neustadt (Eichsfeld)

There are many St. Mary's grottos, especially in western Germany and neighboring Luxembourg :

East Timor

Grotto of Our Lady of Fátima in a natural cave in East Timor

Mary's grottoes (Grutta) are widespread in East Timor , especially since the land is dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima . Mary's grottos can be found next to churches and often at old cult sites of the traditional, animistic religion . The proportion of Catholics in East Timor rose from 30% to almost 100% between 1975 and 2002. In addition to the grottoes of Our Lady of Lourdes and Fátima , grottoes also remind of the Virgen Peregrina de la Familia and others. Grottoes are also dedicated to the veneration of other saints.

Examples

United States and Canada

Grotto of Our Lady, the patron saint of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

In Windthorst, Texas , a St. Mary's Grotto was donated by 64 World War II veterans .

Web links

Commons : Mariengrotte  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. St Mary's Catholic Church - Windthorst, Texas - Outdoor Altars on Waymarking.com . In: waymarking.com .