Carfin Grotto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carfin Grotto, a shrine to Mary, was the idea of the Father Taylor, priest of St. Francis Xavier's Parish in Carfin, two miles east of Motherwell, who wanted a shrine built to honour Our Lady, similar to the Lourdes shrine in France.
The shrine was built, by hand, by local parishioners on a site opposite the Catholic Church. It 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 quickly became a Pilgrimage site for Catholics from across Scotland and the rest of the world. Services were held for the Polish and Lithuanian communities that had settled in Scotland. Pilgrims of many faiths have visited Carfin by the hundreds of thousands.
More recently, the "Reliquery" opened within the Grotto grounds and features many religious artifacts used throughout the years at various processions and celebrations.
In addition, a new Pilgrimage Centre opened in 1997 featuring a historical look at other faiths and beliefs as well as exhibiting various religious artifacts. Additionally, the center features a cafe and shop.
