Location Name
The Grotto, University of Notre Dame

Street Address
Notre Dame Campus

City
South Bend

Type of Prayer Place
Other

Description
The Grotto at the University of Notre Dame is an outdoor prayer site where a vaulted stone niche is built into the hillside to create a place of prayer and intercession. It is one seventh the size of the original Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes in France. Inside the grotto are candles in glass holders which can be lit as a form of prayer. Above the grotto in the hillside is a statue of Mary looking down on a statue of St. Bernadette to whom Mary appeared in 1858. In front of the grotto is a long altar rail where you can kneel to pray. There is also a water drinking fountain that was constantly flowing with stylized depictions of kneeling and prayer. There are large shade trees in the area, making it very pleasant during the summer and there are also benches nearby if you want to linger in the beauty and tranquility.

How I used this place of prayer
I was visiting the campus to attend a wedding and took an evening walk as a time of prayer and meditation. This is a wonderful destination for prayer. I noticed that many people when jogging or walking the campus will stop here and kneel for a short period of prayer.

Hours of Operation & Admission Requirements
Free admission. Open day and night.

Personal Tips
This area is particularly beautiful in the evening as the candles flicker, dance and glow in the dark. To find the grotto, talk the walkway that goes between the Main building with the gold dome and the Basilica. This will lead you to the left down a hill to a stairway to the grotto. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will need to park elsewhere on campus in a public parking lot.

Added by Karen Barber on July 29, 2014