The Grotto of Massabielle in a miniature diorama

A sacred shrine in a diorama depicting the

amazing experience of being in the powerful

and healing energies of the sacred spring

at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France.

All the elements of the procession and devotion

to the Holy Woman, Our Lady of Lourdes,

whom appeared to Bernadette Soubirous

on many occasions, are used in this beautiful shrine.

I included one of the candles that I used during

my last pilgrimage to Lourdes during the candle lit procession

The background of the shrine is the front of the candle shield

The shrine has a replica of the image of the holy card

in tiny miniatures including Bernadette and her sheep

The shrine is dripping with Our Lady of Lourdes medals

brought back after having been dipped into the sacred

waters of the spring.

A very unusual piece of rosary with tiny images

of Our Lady and the Rose of Lourdes on each bead,

hangs down the one side.

On the back of the shrine is the Hail Mary

from the candle shield

I took this image from the internet at www.biblesetnombres.free.fr

It was taken from the top of the Basilica and it gives you an idea

of what the candle lit procession looks like.

This shrine forms part of my Our Lady of Lourdes Series

Catalogue number 385

The Grotto of Massabielle, Lourdes

Please read about my Art Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

and my annual pilgrimage to sacred places

And it is flying to the USA with

a bottle of water from the sacred spring

of Massabielle

My prayers are with the world, with the cities of Paris and Beirut,

with each one of us and may we find the compassion to forgive

these painful acts of violence and destruction and take the

first step towards ending the vicious cycle of hate and retaliation.

Love is the strongest and most powerful force in the world.

May Love Prevail

blessings

Hettienne