The Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary`s apparitions to Bernadette is at the foot of a stone ridge, only a few yards from the Gave de Pau River. The grotto itself is part of a cluster of recesses shaped by nature's eroding forces over time. The largest of these rocky cavities was where the Virgin Mary revealed to Bernadette the spring of water. Just above this recess was the small crevice where the "Beautiful Lady" appeared to the young village girl.
Today this humble alcove has become the honored niche where a replica of the Virgin Mary as she appeared to Bernadette reminds the world where the Mother of Mercy stood. This spot is now adorned with flowering vines, providing a natural leafy halo around the white figure of the Immaculate Mary.
The grotto, which was once used to shelter animals, has now been made more accessible. The floor of the grotto is paved with stones. The gurgling spring is seen through panes of plexiglass. Flower offerings lay scattered around it. The soft, sweet sound of flowing water echoes through the grotto. The recess's inner walls, like the ridge, slope down to the grotto and bear watery stains and green moss. Because of the constant rain or perhaps spring water seeping through the rocks, the walls are always moist. Pilgrims processing through the grotto run their hands along the wet sides and ceiling, then blessing themselves as they leave.
The pilgrims from the Western Association of the Order of Malta made three visits to the grotto. The first visit allowed all the pilgrims to walk through the grotto. The area is hallowed ground. Approaching the place, one enters a zone of reverent silence. The shrine's hospitality team gently coax the procession through the grotto to keep the line moving. Many press their hands to grotto walls transmitting a prayer to the Blessed Mother of consolation who has provided this haven for all the afflicted.
On the following day, the pilgrims gathered for the Sacrifice of the Mass at the grotto. The grotto itself serves as the sanctuary for Mass. An altar roughly hewn from similar stone rests silently in the grotto. A precarious pulpit was cut into the stone on one side of the grotto. Reaching it would require readers and preachers to scale a steep, narrow passage. More often, a simple metal podium is provided. A processional crucifix stands beside the altar. To one side, just underneath Mary's alcove is a large – maybe 10 feet tall – rod-iron trellis shaped like a cylindrical cone filled with lighted candles. Since it is still the Easter Season, an Easter Candle was also burning, between the altar and the podium.
As one of the concelebrating bishops, I was able to sit just under the rocky canopy of the grotto. I could hear the soft murmuring of the spring while noting the figure of Mary looking down on all her children gathered around the altar of her Son, Jesus.
Earlier today, many of us went once more to the grotto following the international celebration of the Mass in the Basilica of Pius X. At the conclusion of the Eucharist, all the bishops, priests, and ministers, joined by many of the congregation, processed over to the grotto to sing the Regina Caeli:
Regína caéli, lætáre, Allelúia! (Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.)
Quia quem meruísti portáre, Allelúia! (For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.)
Resurréxit, sicut dixit, Allelúia! (Has risen, as he said, alleluia.)
Ora pro nóbis Déum, Allelúia! (Pray for us to God, alleluia.)
Read more from Bishop Jaime Soto's 2024 pilgrimage to Lourdes: First Dispatch, Second Dispatch, Third Dispatch