Lourdes Grotto Wiemesmeer

The region here was called Hoeverveld, after a farm that was also a resting place for the carriages to Maastricht. One of the residents, Mathijs Thijssens, had a statue of Mary placed along the road from Wiemesmeer to Terboekt in 1907. A little further on he had a crucifix placed, all in gratitude for the healing of a boil disease on his leg. One of his daughters later wanted a Lourdes cave on the site of the statue, and Mathijs decided that this should be a large cave, modeled on the one in Edegem.The cave was completed in 1925. However, when the ceiling of St. Joseph's Church collapsed in 1976, the Masses had to be celebrated elsewhere. On Saturday evenings in the summer, Masses were said at the grotto. Since then, it has attracted more pilgrims and the prayer room built near the cave became too small. The space was expanded in 1993. Since then, the area around the cave has been further expanded and embellished. Covered areas were created, many trees and shrubs were planted and a pond was constructed. From 2004-2005, Toon Vanmechelen created a series of images representing the Secrets of the Rosary. Three chapels were built in which these statues were placed. A Calvary group was founded in 2009. As a result of all this, an extensive Maria Park was eventually created.

Nowadays, anyone who wants to visit the Lourdes Grotto no longer has to make a long journey to France. There are currently about 650 replicas throughout Flanders. One of the lesser-known Marian caves is that of Wiemesmeer in Zutendaal. Today there is still a lot of life going on there, the site welcomes approximately 900 people per summer. Masses still take place and there is even WiFi.

Nice place