As Hurricane Irma bears down closer to Florida, residents who had not evacuated from Key West gathered to pray at the grotto dedicated to hurricane protection.
Days after the hurricane’s path was announced, people began streaming to the outdoor stone grotto at all hours, leaving notes, lighting candles and simply quietly praying.
The grotto, named Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, on the grounds of the Basilica of St Mary Star of the Sea, has been a source of spiritual refuge against storms since it was dedicated in 1922 for that purpose. It was spearheaded by Sr Louise Gabriel, a Sister of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, who wanted the devotional spot at the parish to protect the island from destructive hurricanes.
According to the history of the grotto, Sr Gabriel said at its dedication that as long as the grotto stood: “Key West would never experience the full brunt of a hurricane,” which has been true since from that time.
Fr John Baker, the basilica’s pastor for the past 10 years, said the grotto, with its statue of Bernadette and one of Mary high above in the rocks, attracts Catholics and non-Catholics alike. One woman told him years ago that she was not Catholic or Christian, but she loved going to the grotto for its sense of peace.
As the pastor sees it, the grotto symbolizes people’s faith, their belief “that they can get through this.”
A group of about 70 people attended an early morning Mass on September 7 at the grotto for special prayers before Hurricane Irma. Key West, often in hurricanes’ paths, had been under a mandatory evacuation order, which not everyone was heeding.
Fr Baker, who has weathered a number of storms, said he and another priest at the parish were staying “to be present” with those who staying on the island.
He said it had been extremely quiet, in that quiet before the storm mode, and that those who remained were supporting each other. Hardware stores were empty as many had boarded up their windows. The basilica, built in 1904, has never been damaged by a hurricane.
When asked if he would pray more during the storm, Fr Baker laughed and said he prays all the time. He also said he would not let fear overtake him. “People have to say: ‘I can’t get into that mode,'” he told Catholic News Service.
He planned to go to the highest level of the rectory and wait out the winds and rain and then once it was over, he would immediately get to the task of cleaning up.
Right after the eye of the storm, he said the barometric pressure drops and “you don’t know which way the wind is blowing.”
“You have to get through it with a kind of sanity and peace, knowing God is with you,” he said.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.