National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

Breathtakingly beautiful grounds, and excellent for photo ops (outside of quiet/​prayer areas, of course). You feel at peace from the moment you step foot on the property; a must-​see in Frederick County! The other reviews sum it up wonderfully.

The most beautiful and perfect place to visit on Mother’s Day!

What a beautiful and peaceful treasure high up on hill in Emmitsburg MD.
The National Shrine Grotto sits directly above Mount St Mary’s University, just past the cemetery and requires a small hike to access.
They offer a shuttle (by calling: 301– 447‑5318) and there are also a few handicap parking spaces at the top of the hill near the visitor center.
Walking up the Stations of the Cross (the left path) you will eventually wind your way into the cave and grotto hosting a replica of Lady of Lourdes. Pausing here to light a candle, rest a while, or say a prayer it is easy to see what Rev. John Waterson, president of Mount St. Mary’s College, was trying to accomplish in 1875 when he began creating the site.
Walking back down (again taking the left path) will lead to a chapel, the Grotto Mountain Water area with a beautiful reflecting pool, and several areas to stop and worship along Rosary Lane.
What a wonderful place.

A visit here is being on holy ground. New this year is a beautiful visitors center that helps you appreciate the history. This is a true oasis.

This is a very sacred and soothing place to visit. The statues are true works of art, and you can feel a sense of calm while walking and reading about the Saints. I have been here once and fully intend of returning. You can tell that this is a holy place not based on the statues, but the feel.

This is a pretty interesting site. This Grotto completed the 1 – 2 punch of Catholic goodness on my family’s trip back from Hershey, PA.
I like seeing random things like this that aren’t listed in the guidebooks. I brought my mom and family friends here to check it out since they’re hardcore Catholics. They’re old 60+ yr old folks, so I was very proud of them for being able to walk up the small little hill to go up to the Grotto.
This shrine had some running holy water coming out of the ground at a fountain, and some nice peaceful quiet space for you to pray and walk around.

First off, I am not Catholic, so maybe not as easily impressed. However, this is a great site and an interesting find in the middle-​of-​nowhere Maryland. The grotto itself is a labyrinth of pathways, monuments, and fountains which makes for a very peaceful setting. It is supposedly the «oldest known replica of the revered French shrine, dating to about 1875 (the original Lourdes apparitions were in 1858). The Grotto has been in use since 1805 when Fr. John Dubois founded it as a place of prayer and devotion.»