It was in 1911 that Pope Pius X established the Daegu diocese of Korea.  In that period, the new diocese didn't have any money. In 1911, bishop Demans, the first diocesan bishop dedicated his diocese to the Madonna of Lourdes.  Asking Our Lady to help erect a cathedral, a seminary, and a house for the missionaries, he made a vow to build a Madonna grotto like that of Lourdes.

Between 1913 and 1914, the Daegu Diocese was able to build the cathedral and the seminary, but there was no money left to build the Lourdes grotto.  During that time of financial difficulties (1916), Fr. Saucet suffered from grave disease.  The Diocese again made a vow to build a grotto, asking for the recovery of Fr. Saucet. The Madonna healed him.  The grotto was built in 1918 with the help of the Madonna.

The grotto is located on a hill overlooking the cathedral, the seminary and all of Daegu City.  The size and shape of the grotto are made like that of the grotto in Lourdes.  This grotto was dedicated on Sunday, October 13, 1918 in the presence of clergy, seminarians and faithful.

On the back of the grotto, we find the following inscription: "1911 EX VOTO IMMACULATAE CONCEPTIONI" and "1918 EX VOTO IMMACULATAE CONCEPTIONI."  Both of these Ex votos are reminders of the Madonna's gracious help.