Carfin Grotto

Carfin Grotto was the idea of the then Father Taylor (later Cardinal), priest of St. Francis Xavier's Parish in Carfin, two miles east of Motherwell, who wanted a shrine built to honour Our Lady, and similar to the Lourdes shrine in France.

Related Topics:
Cardinal - St. Francis Xavier - Carfin - Motherwell - Our Lady - Lourdes - France

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The shrine was built, by hand, by local parishioners on a site opposite the Catholic Church and included a Glass Chapel situated on a raised "Headland" where Masses were conducted, a representation of Jesus' life with Mary and Joseph in their house-cum-carpentry shop, as well as a sunken garden. The shrine finally opened in late 1922 and it didn't take long for it to become a Pilgrimage site for Catholics from across Scotland and the rest of the world, holding services for Polish and Lithuanian communities that had settled in Scotland and bringing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, of many faiths, to Carfin over the years.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Polish - Lithuanian - Pilgrim

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More recently the "Reliquery" opened within the Grotto grounds and features many religious artifacts used throughout the years at various processions and celebrations.

Related Topics:
Procession - Celebrations

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Due to the decline in church attendances, the numbers attending these services has declined but Sunday services continue throughout the Summer.

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In addition a new Pilgrimage Centre opened in 1997 and features an historical look at other faiths and beliefs as well as exhibiting various religious artifacts, and the centre features a cafe and shop.

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