National Shrine Vandalized at Mount St. Mary’s University

Mount St. Mary’s University President Thomas H. Powell is shocked and saddened at the vandalism at the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes early Sunday morning, February 10, 2008. Two men were caught trying to set a fire on the altar after damaging a crucifix at the Grotto. The Shrine still held a public Mass today, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

“People who come here know the Grotto is a peaceful, prayerful place and to have it desecrated by these individuals is horrific,” said President Powell.  “Young men who would willfully choose to destroy sacred artifacts in such a dishonorable way certainly need our prayers.  Thankfully, our public safety officers stopped them before they could do anymore damage.” 

The Mount Public Safety office was alerted by an alarm at 3:00 a.m. from the Grotto; officers responded and captured two men in their twenties.  The pair was found smashing candles and glass after apparently trying to set fire to papers on the altar. The officers also found a crucifix in the nearby creek allegedly torn from its standard near the altar. The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office has the men in custody on trespassing, malicious destruction and defacing religious property charges. The two men have no known affiliation with the University.

The damaged crucifix was donated by a priest, Fr. William B. Cavanaugh and a plaque asks those who come to the chapel to pray for his mother, Mary Elizabeth Cavanaugh. The Shrine is surrounded by statuary, altars, religious objects and adornments donated in memory of loved ones. 

The National Shrine Grotto, originally built in the 1800’s, is known as a sacred place where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton worshipped when she first moved to Emmitsburg and has been an active chapel ever since.  Today, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come each year to pay homage to Our Lady of Lourdes and walk the trails made by Mount St. Mary’s founder, Fr. John DuBois in 1808.