Welcome in Walschbronn

The grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

The replica of the Lourdes grotto was built in 1935, at the instigation of Abbé Greff, the parish priest. Its location was chosen to show that people go to Jesus through Mary: from the Blessed Mother in the grotto to the Sacred Heart above.

"I started the construction of this replica of the Lourdes grotto in 1935 (25 years after the statue of the Sacred Heart). Its location was chosen to show that one goes to Jesus through Mary: from the Blessed Mother in the grotto to the Sacred Heart above."

— Abbot Greff, parish priest from 1925 to 1939.

Article from the "Metzer Katholisches Volksblatt" of 13.10.1935 :

The solemn high mass was celebrated by Professor Schwaller, assisted by Professor Oberstatter and the parish priest of Walschbronn. "The main celebration, however, took place in the afternoon. People streamed in from all over the region, so that the spacious church was far too small for Vespers. After vespers, a long, long procession went through the streets of the village, amidst devotional songs; a beautiful triumphal arch in the colours of the celestial queens, together with green images of the May trees, indicated the way to the grotto of Lourdes, which rises so beautifully on the hillside of the castle. A 4-part song of the Mother of God, performed by the local choir, directed by teacher Undereiner, introduced the celebration."

Then the preacher of the festival, from the terrace in front of the Grotto, gave a sermon... " Far into the valley resounded the powerful voice of the preacher, and the mountains echoed with the praise of the Immaculate Mother ".

Archpriest Humbert de Volmunster then undertook the blessing of the grotto and the statues.

After the church choir had again performed the Ave in 5 parts, a candlelight procession began. " The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and over the castle hill to the grotto, the Ave Maria rang out into the night... when in front of the grotto the creed resounded from a thousand voices, everyone felt the power of such a confession ". Ad Jesum per Mariam!