The Milk Grotto is a small cave-church in Bethlehem, a few steps from the Church of the Nativity, where tradition says the Holy Family sheltered during the Massacre of the Innocents before fleeing to Egypt. While Mary was nursing the infant Jesus, a drop of her milk fell to the ground, and the rock of the cave turned white. The cave’s chalky white stone, in a region dominated by brown and gray limestone, lends physical support to the legend.
Tradition
The Milk Grotto has been venerated since at least the 5th century, and the tradition that Mary’s milk turned the stone white is shared by both Christians and Muslims. Women of both faiths visit the grotto to pray for fertility, healthy pregnancies, and abundant breast milk. Small bags of powdered white stone from the grotto are available for visitors, and testimonials from women who attribute their pregnancies to the grotto’s intercession line the walls.
The Church
The current church, built by the Franciscans in 1872, is a small, elegant structure above the grotto. The grotto itself is intimate and atmospheric, with soft lighting, white stone walls, and an altar where Mass is celebrated. The contrast with the grand, ancient, and sometimes overwhelming Church of the Nativity next door makes the Milk Grotto a welcome counterpart: a quiet, personal space for prayer and reflection.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Milk Grotto is a brief but touching stop in Bethlehem. Hoshen Tours includes it alongside the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Fields.