This book is dedicated to Monsignor Thomas N Taylor, founder of the Grotto and to all those men from near and far who worked so tirelessly to create this beautiful shrine.

Bishop's Address

 

Dear Reader,

 

I am delighted to have the opportunity of providing this brief introduction to a booklet that should be very helpful to pilgrims and visitors to Carfin’s Grotto in the years to come.

 

Its author, Mr Frank Devlin, has known the Grotto all his life. He has managed the maintenance and together with many volunteers has prepared the Grotto for major events.

This booklet will provide its readers with the story of the Grotto from its earliest days, its extension in the mid 20’s through the heroic work of miners out of work due to the General Strike, its “heyday” in the years before and after the Second World War when thousands would come on many a Sunday afternoon in the summer months for the Rosary Procession, as well as the events of more recent times which complete the remarkable story of the Grotto to date.

 

Today, the Lourdes Grotto at Carfin provides the setting in September of each year for the Scottish National Pilgrimages in honour of St. Margaret and St John Ogilive, as well as hosting many other events in the life of the Diocese of Motherwell.

The Grotto at Carfin is a holy place, not because anything miraculous happened there, but because it had been made holy by the presence of may hundreds of thousands of good people over the past 80 years, to which number your name is now added.

 

I am convinced that this booklet will be of great benefit to those coming to the grotto in the years to come and I commend it to each and all of them.

 

+ JOSEPH DEVINE

Bishop of Motherwell