Emmitsburg, Maryland: The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

The campus of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg Maryland is home to the oldest replica of the grotto at Lourdes, France. The grotto is a place of prayer and contemplation for thousands of visitors each year.

The original Grotto was the inspiration of Father DuBois, a French priest who escaped the French Revolution and arrived here in 1805. He built a church at what he called Saint Mary’s Mountain.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton came to Saint Mary’s Mountain in 1809 and stayed for several weeks while her home nearby in Saint Joseph’s Valley was being completed. A letter of hers dated 1850 refers to this as the grotto, indicating that it was already considered a holy place.

Masses are held Saturdays and Sundays in the Chapel or the Grotto.

 

Traveling the the National Shrine Grotto in Emmitsburg:

Address: 16300 Grotto Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727

GPS coordinates: 39° 40′ 56.1288” N, 77° 21′ 21.0924” W

Tel:   +1 (301) 447-5318

e-mail: stewart@msmary.edu

Click here for the official website of the grotto in Emmitsburg.

 

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