Restoration of two historic grottos underway at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine

The Sorrowful Mother Shrine is pleased to announce the upcoming restoration of two of its most cherished devotional sites: the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto. This restoration work is scheduled to begin in August and be completed before late fall. 

For generations, these sacred spaces have provided pilgrims and visitors with places of prayer, reflection, and encounter with Our Blessed Mother. As part of our ongoing commitment to preserving the shrine’s spiritual and historical heritage, restoration work is scheduled to begin in August and is expected to be completed before the onset of winter weather. 

To undertake this important project, the shrine has engaged Quality Masonry Company of Marion, Ohio, a firm with extensive experience in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and landmarks. Quality Masonry previously completed restoration work at the shrine during the 1980s under the direction of Fr. Falce and has earned a distinguished reputation for excellence in historical preservation. 

The company was honored with the Governor’s Excellence Award in 2004 and has completed restoration projects at the Marion Palace Theatre, the Pontifical College Josephinum, the Marion Historical Society, the Ohio History Connection in Columbus, Holy Redeemer Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are recognized for their restoration and preservation of history. 

The restoration of these grottos represents an investment in the future of the shrine and in the spiritual experience of the thousands of pilgrims who visit each year. While we have committed resources toward this important work, we invite those who cherish the shrine and its mission to consider making a gift to help offset the costs of the project. 

Every contribution, regardless of size, will help preserve these beloved places of prayer and devotion for future generations. If you would like to support the restoration of the Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Guadalupe grottos, donations may be made through the Shrine office (419-483-3435, option 4) or on our website (sorrowfulmothershrine.org). 

We are grateful for your prayers, generosity, and continued support of the Sorrowful Mother Shrine. Together, we can ensure that these sacred spaces continue to inspire faith and devotion for many years to come.