We concluded our Bulacan Pilgrimage by visiting one of many fascinating but controversial pilgrim websites in Bulacan – The Our Woman of Lourdes Grotto in San Jose Delmonte. I’ve visited two different church buildings on this city, together with the Saint Joseph the Employee parish and San Isidro Labrador.
Apparently, Our Woman of Lourdes Grotto was established on February 11, 1965, by Horacio Guanzon and Anita Guidote-Guanzon. It has been one of many go-to pilgrimage websites within the nation but it was additionally surrounded by controversy.
The Shrine was first opened to the general public on February 11, 1965, coinciding with the Feast of Our Woman of Lourdes. Horacio A. Guanzon and Anita Guidote-Guanzon had been each from rich clans in Bulacan. In 1961, Mrs. Guanzon was recognized with most cancers and was informed to solely have six months to reside. Her situation, nonetheless, was miraculously improved after they went to Lourdes, France for a pilgrimage. She went on to reside for 3 extra many years.
As an act of thanksgiving, they determined to constructed a grotto devoted to Our Woman of Lourdes. After the dying of Anita Guidote-Guanzon in 1990, the administration of the grotto shrine was entrusted to their kids. The design of the church was patterned after the The Sanctuary of Our Woman of Lourdes in France.
The Controversy:
The eldest daughter of the Guanzons, Marietta Guanzon-Holmgren, requested the Diocese of Malolos in 2004 to ship personnel to oversee spiritual rites on the grotto shrine. Nevertheless, allegations arose that Guanzon-Holmgren was meddling an excessive amount of on how clergymen despatched by the diocese carried out their duties. In a round launched on March 22, 2004, the shrine was mentioned to be not compliant on Roman Catholic pointers on liturgy and worship resulting in Bishop Jose Oliveros, then Apostolic Administrator of Malolos, to cease recognizing the shrine as a Roman Catholic establishment. Due to the dispute, the Our Woman of Lourdes Grotto Shrine was not formally acknowledged as a Catholic pilgrimage website by the Diocese of Malolos from 2004 to 2024. In 2019, the diocese reiterated its non-recognition of the shrine and mentioned in an announcement that clergymen holding rites on the website are suspended by the Catholic church
On June 12, 2024, the Guanzon household and the Diocese of Malolos lastly agreed to handle the standing of the Shrine. The Guanzons formally donated the Shrine to the Diocese of Malolos. The Canonical Possession and Switch of the Shrine to the diocese was finalized on July 20, 2024, in a ceremony officiated by bishop Dennis Villarojo
(The Sanctuary of Our Woman of Lourdes in Lourdes, France)
The facade of the grotto carefully resembles The Sanctuary of Our Woman of Lourdes in France. The inside nonetheless and the remainder of its construction seemingly failed to achieve its completion.
The church’s important facade options a number of tall niches supported by Corinthian columns. It options stained glass home windows with photographs depicting the 4 Evangelists.
On high of its grill doorways is a mosaic picture of Our Woman of Mount Carmel.
Essentially the most distinctive and outstanding characteristic of the shrine is its symmetrical façade complemented by a round inclined pathway. This architectural design not solely enhances the shrine’s aesthetic enchantment but in addition serves a purposeful objective. The round inclined pathway isn’t solely performed to copy the Rosary Basilica in France nevertheless it additionally serves as a ramp, permitting guests to ascend to completely different ranges of the shrine with out the necessity for stairs.
Much like its reference, the central tower has a clock however additionally it is evident that the tower remains to be unfinished. There could be plans to assemble the 2 extra towers similar to the one in France.
Certainly one of my considerations right here is the power of this construction. They mentioned that the shrine has two church buildings, one on the bottom and the opposite one on the second ground. We solely managed to entry the bottom ground and apparently, they aren’t giving entry to the second ground. I can’t appear to seek out any photos on-line displaying what it seems inside. Though I’ve additionally learn that they solely managed to finish the outside however the inside remains to be not full. The power of its basis, additionally, is seemingly questionable as you’ll be able to see from its uncovered pillars.
The inside of the shrine, nonetheless, is slightly underwhelming. Or perhaps, as a result of I’m simply evaluating it to different Spanish church buildings in Bulacan or perhaps I’m anticipating one thing comparable from its reference. However that is simply me describing its inside and on the finish of the day, that is nonetheless a spot of worship and hundreds of devotees are nonetheless visiting the place not due to its architectural design however due to their timeless religion and devotion.
The inside has many uncovered pillars however with no arches just like some commonplace church buildings.
It has no retablo nevertheless it options a big stained glass window above with photographs depicting the Resurrected Christ
The middle options the picture of Our Woman of Lourdes above the tabernacle. The are gold palm leaf emblems, and there’s Alpha and Omega symbols. Painted behind the Woman is the picture of the Holy Trinity
Our Woman of Lourdes
One other statue of Our Woman of Lourdes close to the sanctuary
Beside the church is the well-known Grotto which is alleged to be miraculous.
The Grotto of Our Woman of Lourdes
Plenty are additionally being held right here. There’s additionally a miraculous spring water that devotees can entry. Apparently, there’s an space within the grotto the place crutches, canes, synthetic limbs, and different aids had been deliberately left behind by devotees. They mentioned that the majority of those had been surrendered by individuals who had been miraculously cured due to their religion.
You too can spot the ledger stones of Mr. and Mrs Guanzon close to the grotto
Not too removed from the Grotto is what they name the “Calvary Hill” which options life-size depiction of the 14 Stations of the Cross, making this Shrine an excellent pilgrim website particularly in the course of the Lenten season.
The Our Woman of Lourdes Grotto Shrine in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is open each day to the general public. The shrine stays accessible all through the day for prayer, reflection, and participation in scheduled Plenty.
This additionally lastly concludes my Bulacan Pilgrimage collection.
Be at liberty to revisit my earlier articles
You may also need to go to my articles about different church buildings in Bulacan
Different locations to go to in Bulacan
References: Isang Viaje / Philippine Information Company /