Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington Dedicates Prayer Garden in Honor of Former Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington Celebrates 75th Anniversary with New Prayer Garden
During its 75th anniversary year, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington unveiled a beautiful prayer garden dedicated to the memory of its late former pastor, Msgr. Robert Avella. The grotto, featuring statues of the Virgin Mary and St. Bernadette, was completed by Ben Hovatter and his fellow Boy Scouts from Troop 164 as part of an Eagle Scout project.
The dedication and blessing of the Msgr. Robert Avella Prayer Garden took place on a sunny autumn afternoon following the noon Mass on Oct. 24. Father Frederick H. Edlefsen, the current pastor of the church, led the ceremony, which was attended by the Scouts, their families, and longtime parishioners.
The grotto pays homage to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France, in 1858. Father Edlefsen highlighted the significance of the grotto as a place for prayer and reflection, invoking Mary’s blessings and the teachings of Jesus.
For Hovatter, the Eagle Scout project was a way to give back to his parish and create a space for outdoor prayer and contemplation. The project, which took six months to complete, was supported by the parish, local Knights of Columbus, and Hovatter’s fundraising efforts.
The completion of the project was a collaborative effort, with the Scouts hand-mixing over 2,000 pounds of concrete to support the fiberglass statues. Despite challenges such as delayed statue delivery due to the pandemic, the project came to fruition in time for the parish’s 75th anniversary.
Hovatter expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout the project and reflected on the impact of seeing people use the prayer garden for its intended purpose. As he looks ahead to college and a future in the U.S. Army, he is proud of the lasting contribution he has made to his parish community.
The creation of the prayer garden not only honors the memory of Msgr. Avella but also serves as a symbol of faith and devotion for parishioners and visitors alike. The project’s completion is a testament to the dedication and spirit of service within the Our Lady of Lourdes Church community.