By Rev. Fr. Emanuel Herkel SSPX

Many people have not heard of the shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Mission, B.C. I had not heard about it myself until we began to organize this pilgrimage. There are very few shrines in Western Canada, but were fortunate to find one small shrine within one day’s walk from our church of Christ the King in Langley, B.C.

Departure from Christ the King Church, Langley

On Saturday, June 11, 2005, many Catholics from the chapels of the SSPX all over B.C. came together and walked 33 km. from our church in Langley to the shrine in Mission. The turnout was very good for a first-ever pilgrimage, with over 40 walkers in the morning , and over 70 people attending Mass at the shrine in the evening. The afternoon walk was through Matsqui Park along the Fraser River. God also granted us good weather, with much cloud cover, but no heavy rain.

The idea of a pilgrimage here is credited to Fr. Boulet, the prior, and Mr. Michael Long, who discovered the shrine for us and planned the route. Pilgrimages are a source of special graces; by the extra effort in a cause of religious devotion, by the patient endurance of pain, and by the good example of our fellow Catholics we have grown spiritually on this day.

The shrine is called the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, and is the oldest Marian shrine in B.C. Bishop Louis D’Herbomez chose the site; it reminded him of the Grotto of Lourdes in France, and he used to go to this rock promontory to pray. It was on the property of St. Mary’s Mission, a residential school (for the native Indians) run by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Bishop D’Herbomez was the first Bishop of New Westminster (now Vancouver), BC. In ill health, he was required to travel to Rome in 1887. Fearing that he might never return, he vowed to build a shrine in honor of Our Lady if he did return to Mission. He was granted his wish, but his bad health and other problems did not enable him to fulfill himself his vow to Our Lady. But he left orders to build a shrine on the spot after his death. These orders were carried out by his successor, Bishop Paul Durieu, OMI, and the Grotto was consecrated on June 25, 1892. Both of these bishops are buried in a cemetery near the shrine. Later on the name of Mission was given to the town that grew around St. Mary’s Mission.

Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes shrine, Mission

Unfortunately, the residential school was closed in 1961, and in 1965 all the buildings, including the shrine, were demolished. The land was sold to the provincial government and was turned into a park. Years later, the Mission Heritage Association and the Knights of Columbus began to work to save the historic lands of the Mission. The shrine was rebuilt on a model close to the original plans: a six sided building, covered by a dome and topped by a white cross. Three side walls are built with sliding panels, and they open to reveal the altar and statue of our Lady of Lourdes to those who must stand outside (there is only room for 30 people inside). The rebuilt shrine was opened in 1997.

With the permission of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Boulet was allowed to offer the first traditional Latin Mass in the rebuilt shrine, and the clouds parted to let in the sunshine of God’s pleasure. Come to join us next year on this beautiful pilgrimage.

Our Lady Of Lourdes, Pray For Us.