Our Lady of Lourdes Pilgrimage 

For Catholic Families
Society of St. Pius X

Pilgrimage from Langley to
the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mission

Grotto history

Practical information:

Date: Varies from year to year so please contact Christ the King Church at 604-533-3358.

Itinerary: Departure around 7:00am from Christ the King, Langley. Walking mostly along 56 Ave. Arrival in Mission in the afternoon. Mass at or by the grotto around 5:30pm. BBQ to follow.

Stops: Roughly every 2 hours. Water will be provided at the stops.

Hike: The full hike is about 30 kms. Hikers need to be 10 years or older, in good physical condition, and using appropriate hiking boots. No strollers.
The afternoon hike, on Matsqui Trail, from David Taylor Park to the Mission Bridge will be accessible to younger children, only with their parents. Ok for strollers.

Registration: For an efficient planning of the pilgrimage, we request pilgrims to register as soon as possible, and before May 15. There is no fee, but a collection will be taken at Mass in Mission to cover expenses. Contact Michael Long: (604) 533-3358 or (778) 898-1336.

Volunteers will be needed for driving, and for logistics: Mass set-up, food & drink.Please call (604) 533-3358. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
(from pamphlet by the Mission Heritage Association)

In 1892, the first and largest Marian shrine was erected in B.C.. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was built on a rock promontory in the upper Teaches of St. Mary's Mission and Residential School, which is the current site of the Fraser River Heritage Park.

The architectural beauty of the Grotto was apparent to all, and to travelers along the Fraser, it was a beacon. Travelers gave the area its name, "Mission", because of St. Mary's and the Grotto.

The Grotto was a six-sided cupola shrine with a silver dome roof laden with stained glass skylights topped by a white cross. The interior boasted intricate moulding and unusual architecture and was hand made with British Columbian cedar. Three sides opened to reveal an altar and a statue of the Virgin Mary.

This shrine was the dying wish of Bishop Louis J. D'Herbomez, the fist Bishop of the Catholic Order of the Oblates of Man,' Immaculate in Western Canada and the driving force behind the founding of St. Mary's Mission. Bishop D'Herbomez spent a lot of time at St. Mary's Mission. He would often meditate, along with other Oblate priests, on a small rock promontory which reminded him of Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes, a holy site in France.

D'Herbomez did have the opportunity to return to St. Mary's but, as he died within two years, he never lived to see his dream realized. He left his dying wish in his last will and testament, and placed orders for the project to be constructed on the rocky ledge with a stream watering its base.

Two years after his death, found among his papers were orders to build the shrine.

Bishop Paul Durieu continued with the vision of the Grotto and took over the construction of the project. Many people sponsored the building of the shrine, and one anonymous American donated $1000. The Oblates consecrated the Grotto on June 25,1892.

Many pilgrimages, religious .celebrations and Passion Plays took place at the Grotto. Thousands of people came to the Grotto and camped. People came by canoe, pack-train, wagon and on foot Masses of people were taught beside and inside it. They were baptized, confirmed and married at the site. It was also the site of the annual Easter pilgrimage with estimates of five to seven thousand people.

For many years the Grotto was the focal point of St. Mary's and Mission city, yet, after a time, the Grotto fell into disuse. Pilgrimages became less frequent, and upkeep was more laborious. Following the neglect of the shrine, it was reopened and rededicated in 1954 with much pageantry.

The future bishop, then provincial, Fr. Fergus O'Grady, O.M.I., conducted the afternoon mass with 5,000- 6,000 people present. The Cranbrook Indian School Brass Band and the North Vancouver Indian Brass Band both performed.

The Virgin statue was honoured with a crown valued at $57,000 that was made of donated jewelry, wedding rings and precious stones. Copper replaced the silver dome for the event.

The passage of time had its toll on the Residential school and Mission. Aboriginal children were transferred to the public school system or to government-run residential schools and it was evident that the era of residential schools, and the Oblates work with the natives was finally coming to an end.

In 1961, a new St. Mary's school and residence was dedicated further east and St. Mary's was officially closed. In 1965, deterioration forced a demolition order for all of St. Mary's buildings and the Grotto, the Fraser Valley landmark, was demolished.

The provincial government eventually purchased the land. In 1986, the Dewdney Alouette Regional District acquired the Park, and it is currently under the jurisdiction of the District of Mission-In the 1980s, the Mission Heritage Association began plans to save the historic lands of the Mission.

For the past 10 years the reconstruction of the Grotto has been a priority of the MHA and the Knights of Columbus. Eventually through hard work and community support, the dreams of many became a reality, and in 1996 the building of the historical structure began and had its opening ceremonies on May 13, 1997.

Through all the changes the Grotto has undergone, both physical and social, pilgrimages have continued, and the Grotto continues to stand again as a majestic and elegant reminder of Mission's historical beginnings.