An Early Pause: My Visit to the Grotto Before Holy Week | Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Greetings to my fellow members in the community! I just want to share a short story from a recent visit I made.
Since I’ll be working during Semana Santa, I knew I wouldn’t have time for any Holy Week visits. So I decided to go early to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Barangay Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
This wasn’t my first time going there but it felt like a fresh visit. The first time I went, I was still a teenager. I actually walked there from our old residence, not knowing it would take me almost three hours. By the time I got to the Grotto, I was so tired that I didn’t really look around or explore. I just rested and went home.
That memory always stayed with me, so I wanted to go back and do it properly this time.
Took an e-jeep that leads to the destination of the Grotto
Entrance of the Grotto across the e-jeep stop.I went on a weekday morning when the place was still quiet. There weren’t a lot of people, and the air felt calm. The Grotto is a replica of the one in Lourdes, France, and it’s been here since the 1960s. It’s a popular spot during Holy Week, but going early gave me time to just walk around and take it all in without rushing.
I took a photo of the place as I've entered the entrance
Lourdes Grotto Church
Side photo of the church near the uphill road
There are few family and group of friends that were visiting the place. |  |
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Entrance to the Grotto Station of the Cross
I started doing the Stations of the Cross, which go up a hill and show the story of Jesus before he died. I was hoping to finish all 14 stations, but just like my first visit, I didn’t make it to the end.
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I got to Station 12 and felt really tired from the heat and the climb. I had to stop and rest for a moment. At first, I felt a little disappointed, but then I reminded myself that this wasn’t about “finishing.” It was enough that I came, reflected, and made time for it.
On the way back, I saw a few goats grazing nearby. It was such a random sight that it made me laugh a little. But then I started thinking, goats have always been part of religious stories, often showing up as symbols of simplicity or sacrifice.
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And maybe that’s what I needed to see. Sometimes, life teaches us things in small, quiet ways. Even a goat can remind you to slow down and keep things simple.
I also took some photos of other places that catches my eye while solemnly exploring the entire area.
Small houses around the area with different pictures of the happenings based on the bible. 
A small cemetery inside with some of the names of the people who are involved with the construction of the area.
Statue of Jesus praying to God.
Statue of Jesus praying to God.
Path walk that leads to the stations uphill.
Downhill path walk that leads to the start of the station of the cross.
Stairs that leads to the prayer area and picnic area.
Different species of plants that provides shade and over-all aesthetic of the area.
The picnic area where you can dine and take a rest from the uphill journey.Before going home, I went inside the church. It was simple and quiet inside. The sunlight coming through the windows made the place feel warm and calm. I sat down and stayed there for a while, just thinking and praying quietly. It was the first time in a long while that I felt completely at peace.
Inside of the Grotto Church. I took a selfie and other photos before I left the church. The visit reminded me how important it is to pause, reflect, and reconnect with God. You don’t need fancy words or long prayers, just an honest heart.
Took a selfie as a remembrance.
View outside the church.
A photo of Kalatsutsing puti (Plumeria alba).If you’re feeling tired, stressed, or just need some time to think, I really recommend visiting the grotto. It’s a beautiful place, not just for the view, but for the feeling it gives you inside.
Thank you for reading this simple blog of mine. I truly appreciate the community. Hoping for the future of Web3 applications that support the ideas of the people.
ALEXIS
Welcome to my blog. I'm just a simple staff in the service industry, currently doing the things that my inner child wants in life. Mostly self-taught in the things that gave me the purpose to learn more about the digital world that led me to this awesome community.
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I really enjoyed reading your post because traveling makes people happy and even if you visit a place many times, you still feel like you've been there for a while. The beauty of nature as well as the view inside the church was very beautiful. It's nice to travel sometimes.
Thank you so much! 😊 I agree that traveling really brings joy, and even if you’ve been to a place before, it can still feel special every time. The view and peaceful feeling at the grotto were truly beautiful. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and I hope you get to visit a place like this soon too. 🌿🙏
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2523.
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