Overview
The Lourdes of Litchfield
The Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield is a replica of the Grotto Lourdes in France. Built of local fieldstone by two Montfort Brothers, Brother Alfonso and Brother Gabriel, with the help of Montfort seminarians and people from the area, the Shrine was dedicated in 1958.
The Montfort Missionaries developed the Shrine so that individuals, families and groups could come to pray, to reflect on their own lives, and to imitate Mary’s life of faithful discipleship.
The Grotto is the site for Mass and other services held in the open air from May through October.
In addition to participating in the liturgy and prayer at the Grotto:
- Follow the Way of the Cross which winds up the Shrine’s wooded hillside to a Calvary Scene at the summit of the hill.
- walk paths leading to smaller shrines:
- of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
- St. Joseph,
- St. Jude,
- St. Michael, and
- St. Louis de Montfort.
The grounds of the Shrine are open year round, from dawn to dusk.
See more Catholic Shrines and pilgrimages in North America.
See top 15 Catholic shrines around the world
The Montfort Missionaries
The Montfort Missionaries or the Missionaries of the Company of Mary, were founded in France by St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673 – 1716).
Priests and lay brothers, Montfort wrote that “They are called by God to preach missions…”
Our mission in the Church consists in revealing the mystery of salvation to those who do not yet know it, and in helping those who have already heard the Good News to rediscover and deepen this mystery by a renewed consciousness of the meaning of their baptismal commitment.
Montfort expressly placed his Company at the service of Mary, so that it would be more profoundly at the service of Christ.
The “perfect consecration” to Jesus Christ, “eternal and incarnate Wisdom”, through Mary is the most outstanding mark of the Marian character of our inspiration. In the footsteps of the poor apostles, Montfort Missionaries strive “to bring glad tidings to the poor” and broken–hearted.
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Video
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
- Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. up the hill in the Montfort House Chapel
- May 1st through October 16th Pilgrimage Season – 11:30 a.m. outside in the Grotto
- Sundays 10:30 a.m. inside the Grotto Chapel
- May 1st through October 16th – Sunday Mass is at 11:30 a.m. outside in the Grotto
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
3:00 p.m. in the Grotto
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Montfort House
Located on the hill above the Grotto, Montfort House welcomes groups and parishes who seek a prayerful space for weekend retreats, or day sessions or recollections for parish staff, faculty, students and confirmation candidates. The beauty and peace of the house and surrounding property, the home cooked meals, all help to create an ideal space for small to medium size groups.
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
The Montfort Missionaries
The Montfort Missionaries or the Missionaries of the Company of Mary, were founded in France by St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673 – 1716). Priests and lay brothers, Montfort wrote that “They are called by God to preach missions…” Our mission in the Church consists in revealing the mystery of salvation to those who do not yet know it, and in helping those who have already heard the Good News to rediscover and deepen this mystery by a renewed consciousness of the meaning of their baptismal commitment. Montfort expressly placed his Company at the service of Mary, so that it would be more profoundly at the service of Christ. The “perfect consecration” to Jesus Christ, “eternal and incarnate Wisdom”, through Mary is the most outstanding mark of the Marian character of our inspiration. In the footsteps of the poor apostles, Montfort Missionaries strive “to bring glad tidings to the poor” and broken–hearted.
Today Montfort Missionaries work in some 40 countries around the globe, working to build up the reign of Jesus through Mary by building up new local churches in developing countries, and by re-invigorating and deepening the Christian faith through preaching, parishes, retreat houses and sanctuaries. Together with the Daughters of Wisdom and the Brothers of Saint Gabriel – and all our lay associates and co-workers – we form the Montfortian Family. The spirt and fire of our ministry lovingly flows from Montfort’s intuition: “It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus Christ came into the world, and it is also through her that he will reign in the world”.