The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Jilin

The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is located on the bank of Songhua River, on the outskirts of Jilin, being the only shrine of Mary in the north-eastern part of China. Pilgrims, clergy and faithful from the country and overseas, come in great numbers annually to visit this shrine.

Built in 1920 after the pattern of Lourdes in France, the grotto occupied a site of 48,391.18 square meters on the peak of a hill nestled by trees. A white-color church was built in 1928.

During the Cultural Revolution, great damage was done to the church and the grotto. After the liberalization of policies on religions, the late bishop of Jilin, Bishop Li Xuesong led the diocese to rebuild the grotto and church and added fourteen Stations of the Cross on the peak. On the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady on   September 8, every year, large numbers of catholics gather here to venerate Our Holy Mother.

Reference: Father. Anh Thu Tran (John the Baptist),C.S.J.B., Marian Shrines in China, Published by St. Francis Xavier Church (Chinese Community),Vancouver, BC. Canada,2009.

Address: St Francis Xavier Parish, 428 Great Northern Way, Van.,BC,V5T 4S5,Canada, Tel 1-(604)254-2727, E-mail address: jbtat@yahoo.com

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