National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is the oldest known replica of the revered French shrine, dating to about 1875 (the original Lourdes apparitions were in 1858). The Grotto has been in use since 1805 when Fr. John Dubois founded it as a place of prayer and devotion.

The Grotto was proclaimed a Public Oratory on December 8, 1965, by His Eminence Lawrence Cardinal Shehan, archbishop of Baltimore. A place of pastoral beauty and spiritual inspiration, it draws hundreds of thousands of religious pilgrims and tourists annually from all faiths and all parts of the globe.

Click here for a virtual tour of the Grotto.

For hours, directions and other information on visiting the Grotto, click here or contact

National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
Mount St. Mary's University
16300 Old Emmitsburg Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

Phone: 301-447-5318
Fax: 301-447-5917