A Stranger at the Novaliches Grotto

I have long heard of the Novaliches Grotto where a shrine of the Lady of Lourdes, similar to hat in France, where Our Lady appeared to a peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous. I know thousands flock to the northern once Bulacan town, every Holy Week, but I have never been even 5 kilometers near that area.

We were given a chance to visit that place when the uncle of my wife took us to visit the place with most of his family. It was a sweltering hot summer day, about a couple of weeks after the Holy Week when we made a travel north of Manila to visit the famous pilgrimage site which is equally as miraculous, said to cure people who are both physically and spiritually sick.

The still unfinished Basilica

The Basilica's facade

 Inside the Basilica

Right side of the Basilica leading to the Via Crucis and the Grotto

Southern corner

The Grotto. Note how it resembles the original in Lourdes, France.

See http://www.galenfrysinger.com/french_lourdes_grotte.htm

The stairways to the fountain said to be miraculous

The left part leads to the church

As in every church in the islands, this one is also a popular dating spot.

The good versus evil. St. Michael

The vast land area could accomodate hundreds of vehicles and thousands of devotees.

And their pets. What are you looking at?

How to get to the Grotto in Novaliches:

From Cubao, Quezon City take a bus along EDSA that has the signboard Novaliches Grotto. Be prepared for a long trip and traffic congestion along Valenzuela.

Photos taken using HP Photosmart R927