Nuestra Señora de Lourdes del Ermitage Saint-Antoine (Grotte de Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes)

Marian vocation of Lac-Bouchette (Quebec)
Popular devotion (not officially recognized by the Church)

The Ermitage Saint- Antoine de Lac-Bouchette, in the Saguenay- Lac-Saint- Jean region, is an important Franciscan sanctuary founded in 1907 around Lake Bouchette. Although its main headline figure is San Antonio de Padua, the enclosure incorporates a real Marian dimension, expressed in oratoriums and, in particular, in a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, clearly inspired by Massabielle. The exact date of construction of this grotto is not recorded in the public documentation.

Main data

Origin and history

The Ermitage Saint- Antoine de Lac-Bouchette, in the Saguenay- Lac-Saint- Jean region, is an important Franciscan sanctuary founded in 1907 around Lake Bouchette. Although its main headline figure is San Antonio de Padua, the enclosure incorporates a real Marian dimension, expressed in oratoriums and, in particular, in a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, clearly inspired by Massabielle. The exact date of construction of this grotto is not recorded in the public documentation.

The image and the sanctuary

La gruta de Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes se integra en el «chemin des sanctuaires» del Ermitage, junto al lago, donde se encuentran también estaciones del Vía Crucis y oratorios marianos. Es muy visitada por peregrinos. No consta una coronación canónica de la imagen.

Sponsorship and coronation

The title of the Grotto is that of Our Lady of Lourdes, within a sanctuary whose main pattern is Saint Anthony of Padua. It does not contain a decree of Marian patronage of its own or a canonical coronation of the image.

Party and devotion

The main date of the eremite is June 13, the feast of San Antonio de Padua. The Marian dimension is real, but there is no Marian party of the place. The grotto is a place of silent prayer, retreat and pilgrimage throughout the year.

Link to the Rosary

The Rosary is one of the devotions promoted in the Ermitage, especially during the Marian pilgrimages and the days of retreat; the annual programmes mention the prayer of the Rosary and the Marian procession. However, there is no formal link of the grotto to a Rosary fellowship.