In Westouter stands one of the first Lourdes grottos in Belgium, set in a beautiful location.
The Lourdes grotto is situated only tens of metres from the street. In the grotto, as is customary, is the statue of Mary in the upper right niche. The effigy of seer Bernadette is located on the ground, in a niche, and is well secured by a fence with mesh. In the large niche are statues, flowers and candles. Beneath the small altar, a statue of the deceased Jesus has been placed. In front of the grotto are benches, and stations of the cross are placed around the grotto.
The grotto was created by a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the south of France by Ludovicus Nollet (1819-1899), parish priest of Westouter until 1882. In 1873, the priest went on pilgrimage to the place where Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette in 1858. The priest's journey was an exceptional undertaking for its time, with limited travel options. When Father Nollet returned from his pilgrimage, he planned to build a grotto from mountain stones. In 1874-1875, the Lourdes grotto was realised on the Rodeberg. On 30 July 1875, the grotto was consecrated by Johannes Josephus Faict (1813-1894), Bishop of Bruges (1864-1894).
In 1918, during the First World War/Great War (1914-1918), the Lourdes Grotto was damaged and restored in 1926.
Westouter is a village in the municipality of Heuvelland and is located in the province of West Flanders. The Lourdes Grotto is inviting for visitors.
Address: Rodebergstraat 23, 8954 Westouter.
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