A place of remembrance and healing

In loving memory of the countless unborn children whose lives were taken.

About Us

Welcome to Rachel’s Grotto

Rachel’s Grotto is a memorial for children denied life in this world because of abortion. However, their lives were and continue to be willed and loved by God, regardless of the complex circumstances in which their parents ended their lives in the womb.

Therefore, Rachel's Grotto seeks to be a visible sign of God's love for all unborn children, created in His image and likeness. Not one of them escapes His memory; He knows each one by name.

With this in mind,Rachel's Grotto honours the memory of aborted children by placing their names on commemorative plaques. These are entrusted to us by repentant mothers, fathers, or others involved in an abortion, however directly or indirectly.

Last but not least, Rachel's Grotto is a place of healing, that allows parents to express their love for their children by giving them a name, thereby helping them to reconcile with both their children and God.

History

A Journey of Prayer, Reparation and Remembrance

The Agnus Dei community has lived in the Frauenberg monastery in southern Germany since 1982. As all of its members are Catholic and lead a primarily contemplative life, the community began perpetual adoration in the monastery crypt in 1985. This was in part to offer reparation for the crime of abortion, the gravity of which they had become increasingly aware of.

The creation of memorial plaques for aborted children was inspired by two key influences. The first was the 'Children's Hall' in Jerusalem, where a voice continuously reads out the names of children murdered by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust.

The second inspiration came from the Marian shrine Banneux in Belgium, where many plaques of gratitude for various favours received have been placed.

We had no doubt that the best place to create a dignified memorial for 'God's favourites', as we like to call them, was the small grotto carved into the natural rock next to the crypt, where God is adored day and night. Thus, in the year 1999, the "Rachel's Grotto" was created.

Having published an initial video about this initiative in 2020, we were contacted by hundreds of mothers, fathers and other relatives, requesting that we place a plaque bearing their child's name. The first grotto was quickly filled, so we opened a second one right next to it. The two grottos currently house more than 4,000 plaques bearing the names of children from almost 50 countries.

Create a Plaque

Place Your Child’s Name in the Grotto

If you have been involved in an abortion or know of a child who has been denied the right to life, please give that child a name and let us know. They will have a place of honour in Rachel’s Grotto forever, right next to the Lord.

Create a Memorial Plaque