Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Notre Dame, Religious shrine at Notre Dame, United States
The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is a smaller replica of the French original, built with large stone boulders from local farms. This shrine occupies about one-seventh the size of its counterpart in France and serves as a place for reflection on the campus.
Father Edward Sorin, founder of Notre Dame, initiated construction of this shrine in 1896 after visiting the original site in Lourdes, France. His vision brought the spiritual heritage of the French location to the American campus.
This shrine draws visitors daily who come to pray and find spiritual moments. Evening Rosary prayers at 6:45 p.m. remain a central part of life here.
The shrine is open during the day and welcomes visitors for quiet prayer and reflection. You can explore the grounds at your own pace or join the regular prayer gatherings held here.
A small fragment of stone from the original French grotto sits on the right side beneath the Mary statue. This piece directly connects this shrine to its source of inspiration across the ocean.
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