by Jim Grant

I recently came across a rather insulting description of Scotland’s National Marian Shrine, posted in a somewhat disreputable blog.  It depicted the Carfin Grotto in the following terms:

Carfin is like the defunct Mr Blobby World with a pastiche of replicas of international Marian shrines. It was like the old Tunnel of Love at Alton Towers where a boat would take you past historical cities and landmarks.

I could not contain a wry smile and conclude that this reveals far more about the anonymous blogger than it does about Carfin Lourdes Grotto. For some reason the famous quote from Saint Thomas Aquinas came into my head which I conveniently adapted to fit the occasion: ‘To one who has a “devotional” faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without a “devotional” faith, no explanation is possible’.

Fr Jim Grant is parish priest of St Francis Xavier, Carfin, and Guardian of Carfin Grotto

For anyone who wishes to find out more about the grotto, a Centenary book was published as well as a DVD. They can be purchased from the shop at Carfin. A streamed version of the two hour DVD can be purchased from Sancta Familia Media.