We concluded our Bulacan Pilgrimage by visiting one of the fascinating yet controversial pilgrim sites in Bulacan – The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in San Jose Delmonte. I have visited two other churches in this town, including the Saint Joseph the Worker parish and San Isidro Labrador.
Interestingly, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was established on February 11, 1965, by Horacio Guanzon and Anita Guidote-Guanzon. It has been one of the go-to pilgrimage sites in the country yet it was also surrounded by controversy.
The Shrine was first opened to the public on February 11, 1965, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Horacio A. Guanzon and Anita Guidote-Guanzon were both from wealthy clans in Bulacan. In 1961, Mrs. Guanzon was diagnosed with cancer and was told to only have six months to live. Her condition, however, was miraculously improved after they went to Lourdes, France for a pilgrimage. She went on to live for three more decades.
As an act of thanksgiving, they decided to built a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. After the death of Anita Guidote-Guanzon in 1990, the management of the grotto shrine was entrusted to their children. The design of the church was patterned after the The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
The Controversy:
The eldest daughter of the Guanzons, Marietta Guanzon-Holmgren, asked the Diocese of Malolos in 2004 to send personnel to supervise religious rites at the grotto shrine. However, allegations arose that Guanzon-Holmgren was meddling too much on how clergymen sent by the diocese performed their duties. In a circular released on March 22, 2004, the shrine was said to be not compliant on Roman Catholic guidelines on liturgy and worship leading to Bishop Jose Oliveros, then Apostolic Administrator of Malolos, to stop recognizing the shrine as a Roman Catholic institution. Because of the dispute, the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine was not officially recognized as a Catholic pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Malolos from 2004 to 2024. In 2019, the diocese reiterated its non-recognition of the shrine and said in a statement that priests holding rites at the site are suspended by the Catholic church
On June 12, 2024, the Guanzon family and the Diocese of Malolos finally agreed to address the status of the Shrine. The Guanzons formally donated the Shrine to the Diocese of Malolos. The Canonical Possession and Transfer of the Shrine to the diocese was finalized on July 20, 2024, in a ceremony officiated by bishop Dennis Villarojo
(The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France)
The facade of the grotto closely resembles The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The interior however and the rest of its structure seemingly failed to reach its completion.
The church’s main facade features multiple tall niches supported by Corinthian columns. It features stained glass windows with images depicting the four Evangelists.
On top of its grill doors is a mosaic image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The most distinctive and prominent feature of the shrine is its symmetrical façade complemented by a circular inclined pathway. This architectural design not only enhances the shrine’s aesthetic appeal but also serves a functional purpose. The circular inclined pathway is not only done to replicate the Rosary Basilica in France but it also serves as a ramp, allowing visitors to ascend to different levels of the shrine without the need for stairs.
Similar to its reference, the central tower has a clock but it is also evident that the tower is still unfinished. There might be plans to construct the two more towers just like the one in France.
One of my concerns here is the strength of this structure. They said that the shrine has two churches, one on the ground and the other one on the second floor. We only managed to access the ground floor and apparently, they are not giving access to the second floor. I can’t seem to find any pictures online showing what it looks inside. Although I have also read that they only managed to complete the exterior but the interior is still not complete. The strength of its foundation, also, is seemingly questionable as you can see from its exposed pillars.
The interior of the shrine, however, is a little underwhelming. Or maybe, because I am just comparing it to other Spanish churches in Bulacan or maybe I am expecting something similar from its reference. But this is just me describing its interior and at the end of the day, this is still a place of worship and thousands of devotees are still visiting the place not because of its architectural design but because of their undying faith and devotion.
The interior has many exposed pillars but with no arches similar to some standard churches.
It has no retablo but it features a large stained glass window above with images depicting the Resurrected Christ
The center features the image of Our Lady of Lourdes above the tabernacle. The are gold palm leaf emblems, and there’s Alpha and Omega symbols. Painted behind the Lady is the image of the Holy Trinity
Our Lady of Lourdes
Another statue of Our Lady of Lourdes near the sanctuary
Beside the church is the famous Grotto which is said to be miraculous.
The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
Masses are also being held here. There is also a miraculous spring water that devotees can access. Interestingly, there is an area in the grotto where crutches, canes, artificial limbs, and other aids were intentionally left behind by devotees. They said that most of these were surrendered by people who were miraculously cured because of their faith.
You can also spot the ledger stones of Mr. and Mrs Guanzon near the grotto
Not too far from the Grotto is what they call the “Calvary Hill” which features life-size depiction of the 14 Stations of the Cross, making this Shrine a great pilgrim site especially during the Lenten season.
The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is open daily to the public. The shrine remains accessible throughout the day for prayer, reflection, and participation in scheduled Masses.
This also finally concludes my Bulacan Pilgrimage series.
Feel free to revisit my previous articles
You might also want to visit my articles about other churches in Bulacan
Other places to visit in Bulacan
References: Isang Viaje / Philippine News Agency /
