The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto is a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to the Marian apparitions which occurred in Lourdes, France. It is located in the Dominican Hill Road in Baguio City and is a popular destination for religious pilgrims and tourists. It is mostly visited during Lent and Holy Week.
Erected by the Jesuits on Mirador Hill, the grotto exhibits a stairway with 252 steps to reach its shrine at the top. Although there is also a small road that leads to the top where you can take your car to a designated parking area, tourists often prefer the experience of going up the stairway. Pilgrims during Lent or Holy Week include the climb in their penitence.
Statues, prayers, and other artworks can also be seen on the way up. The faithful may also pray and meditate with the fourteen stations of the cross that tells about the Passion of Christ from his sentencing to his burial.
Once at the top, visitors may offer prayers and flowers at the shrine. There’s also a resting area, candle area, and a small chapel. “Tota pulchra es Maria” is Latin scribed above the statue which translates to “You are all beautiful Mary“.
Kapilya ni Jesus at Maria is the name of the chapel beside the grotto. Since it sits on top of a hill, a nice view of the Baguio City skyline is seen through its windows, which also invites a fresh breeze of cool Baguio air for the pilgrims.
After prayers and meditations, the visitor is invited to just seize the moment of relaxations. Enjoying the panoramic views as time seems to stop at this holy ground. It is definitely a must for tourists to visit this place when in Baguio City.