Our Lady of Lourdes (Skaro Grotto)

Marian Advocation of Skaro (Alberta)
Popular devotion (not officially recognized by the Church)

The Skaro Grotto, near Lamont, in eastern Alberta, was built in 1919 by Polish and Ukrainian settlers who wanted a Marian pilgrimage place similar to Lourdes on their new land. It is one of the oldest Marian shrines in Alberta even in use. According to local tradition, many of the faithful who helped raise it carried stones from their own farms as a sign of gratitude and confidence in the protection of the Virgin.

Main data

Origin and history

The Skaro Grotto, near Lamont, in eastern Alberta, was built in 1919 by Polish and Ukrainian settlers who wanted a Marian pilgrimage place similar to Lourdes on their new land. It is one of the oldest Marian shrines in Alberta even in use. According to local tradition, many of the faithful who helped raise it carried stones from their own farms as a sign of gratitude and confidence in the protection of the Virgin.

The image and the sanctuary

The grotto is in the parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Skaro) in the diocese of Edmonton, and is an officially recognized place of diocesan pilgrimage, known as Skaro Shrine or Skaro Grotto. It is made of local stone and rock, with an image of the Virgin in Lourdes style. The diocesan chronicles mention the attendance of hundreds of pilgrims every year, some who return in the family for decades; testimonies of favors and graces have been collected, although without an official record of recognized miracles.

Sponsorship and coronation

It is a rural Marian sanctuary frequented mainly by faithful of Polish and Ukrainian origin; no official patronage is indicated beyond the general advocation to Our Lady of Lourdes. The canonical coronation of the image is not recorded.

Party and devotion

The annual pilgrimage is held around the Feast of the Assumption on August 15; there is traditionally a candle vigil on August 14 and Outdoor Mass on August 15. Devotion is transmitted from generation to generation among families of Central European origin in the region.

Link to the Rosary

During the vigil of the Assumption, the Rosary is usually prayed with candles around the grotto, as described by pastoral and chronic notes of the sanctuary. The Rosary is part of the devotional identity of the place, in continuity with the spirituality of Lourdes.