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A long, multi-colored ribbon makes its way through the crowd like a serpent. Everyone murmurs, "It's the orphans, what a beautiful sight". Suddenly the bugle sounds. The bells of the City Hall ring through the air with a solemnity befitting a momentous occasion - that's the signal. The procession, in an admirable display of precision, begins, led by the Chief Marshall and two assistants, all three on horseback. So started the day when the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes opened in Lowell, Massachusetts on September 4th, 1911. At about 1:30 the streets neighboring the general area of the Procession Committee were crammed to the point that it was nearly impossible to move . . Every window is crowded with onlookers. The sidewalks can hold no more spectators, and the street, as wide as it is, is completely filled, almost as far as the eye can see . . By eleven o'clock most people have left. The lights go out. Silence reigns. But around the Grotto the burning candles illumine the statue of the Blessed Virgin. Not being a religious person we thought it might be fun to check out this Christian idol worship firsthand. Where to go but the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lowell! It seems the French love Mary, the "blessed virgin", and the grotto of Lourdes is dedicated to her. Legend has it that in 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in the Grotto of Massabielle. by 1862 seven "cures" were recorded. The Catholic Church even has a handy record for you to download listing all the recognized "miracles" here We pulled up, past twelve or so statues of Jesus being killed in various stages. Then we parked in front of a big fake cave, the grotto. On top of this false cavern sits a life-size cross, complete with half naked Jesus nailed up on it. In front of the entrance sits a statue of a girl, maybe one of the orphans from the orphanage? Next to the entrance is a big statue of Mary, the "Blessed Virgin", worshipped by Catholics despite the commandment against idolatry. She stands there, with a neon halo to let you know just how holy she is! Inside the grotto sits a table, with candles in front of it, and another small statue of Jesus, as always hanging on a cross, no doubt for your sins! On a small table sits a book of pictures, and another book of written prayers, the ussual stuff . . bless cousin Joe in Iraq (but not the Iraqis), God Bless dead uncle Jimmy, etc. I figured I'd try being all religious for a second or two and lit a candle. I suppose my lord and saviour, Satan, didn't like that very much as the jar instantly cracked, as can be seen in the picture below. To the right of the entrance, set into the wall, is a chunk of rock with a French inscription above it, "Pierres Extraites De La Grotte De Lourdes" meaning "Extracted rocks Of The Cave Of Lourdes", a hunk of the holy Lourdes itself. Click here to view the Lourdes Webcam live from France. 
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IUSSA reminds visitors that abandoned areas can be dangerous areas. Also remember, that 'no trespassing' means exactly what it says and furthermore IUSSA reminds you to NEVER break anything in order to investigate a site or to vandalize!
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