Visit Mary This Month … In Her Evansville Grotto

October has five Sundays this year, which means you have four opportunities remaining (Oct. 9, 16, 23 and 30) to visit the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Evansville Grotto.

Volunteers from St. Boniface Parish are offering tours of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, located under St. Boniface Church, from 11 a.m. CT to 2 p.m. CT on Sundays during October. Regardless of whether you’ve been there before, you owe yourself and your family a visit.

In his book on St. Boniface Parish and Church, “St. Boniface: A Living Legacy,” retired Deacon Richard Preske included the following information about the Grotto:

“Erected and donated by a pioneer and lifelong member of St. Boniface, Jacob Fischer, this magnificent tribute to the Mother of God for the conversion of sinners was to be the source of consolation and peace to suffering humanity. … The grotto was built for $10,000 (Editor’s note – that’s more than $236,000 in 2016 dollars) in order to allow for a peaceful quietness to Mary, the Mother of God.”

The photo accompanying this column shows the grotto’s altar, which features three-dimensional art, restored and repainted just a few years ago, of Mary praying for the souls in purgatory.

A volunteer committee at St. Boniface Parish coordinates weekend tours of the Grotto annually during May and October – months dedicated to our Blessed Mother.

In addition, Father Anthony Govind, associate pastor of St. Boniface, celebrates Mass in the Grotto at 7:30 a.m. CT on Saturday.

Here’s hoping you can visit Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto soon … and often.