The Bronx, NY: College of Mount Saint Vincent

Likely the oldest Lourdes grotto replica in the US that still exists is the grotto on the campus of the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, the Bronx, New York. The college was founded in the Riverdale area of the Bronx in 1859 by the Sisters of Charity.

A July 2, 1875 New York Daily Herald article mentioned “the grotto of Our lady of Lourdes and its fanciful lake. The grotto was built on an island in an artificial lake, reached by a bridge.”

An 1884 book about the college, A Descriptive and Historical Sketch of the Academy of Mount St. Vincent On-The-Hudson, New York City. 1847-1884, described the grotto in the book’s introduction to the college:

Mount St. Vincent is situated in the city of New York…. Just within the entrance, to the left, is the grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, a very special monument in honor of the Immaculate Mother of God. Within view of the main road at this point is a miniature lake, fed by the numerous springs in the vicinity.

In the center of this lake is a small island, upon which a cave, or grotto, has been built, in imitation of that at Lourdes; and, although it resembles more closely, perhaps, some classic ruin than a veritable production of nature, it still possesses the durability of beauty that pertains to nature’s works. The island is reached by rustic bridges which connect with the mainland; the pilgrim passes under a quaintly fashioned and somewhat irregular archway, and is immediately in front of the grotto. Within is an exquisite statue of our Lady as she appeared to the favored Bernadette; and, as the mellow-tinted light falls upon it through the unseen stained glass above, you might easily imagine yourself gazing upon a vision of the Immaculate Queen of Heaven herself — the wild beauty and calm stillness of the surrounding scenery serving to deepen the impression. The words “I am the Immaculate Conception” stand out in gold letters, and, to make the resemblance of the Lourdes grotto more complete, at the foot is a tiny marble font with the inscription, “Go to the fountain and drink.” A handsomely ornamented gate protects the entrance, without, however, obstructing the view of the interior even to the most casual passer-by. Altogether, it is a spot, once seen, never to be forgotten.

Also, according to that same source, “When Cardinal McCloskey visited Rome, in 1874, the Holy Father, at the intercession of his Grace, granted rare privileges to this shrine— favors which, even to the knowledge of the archbishop, had been denied to many other suppliants.”

The grotto was often the scene of Marian devotions during the month of May, as shown in a number of newspaper articles published from the 1930s to the early 1960s:

At some point in the modern era (after the photo in the 1960 article was published), the grotto was rebuilt, perhaps because the original rock work was becoming fragile after more than a century.

The Lourdes grotto at the now-University of Mount Saint Vincent continues to host events such as the Rosary Rally held there in 2022, and the 2015 Rosary for Peace:

The Grotto today remains a beautiful spot for private devotions and public prayer, one beloved by generations of students and local residents for over 150 years.

A beautiful video filmed in the grotto pond from the Sisters of Charity Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/751831130654287