A self-guided tour of the Shrine and Grottos
is available, and brochures for such visits are available free
of charge. These brochures contain the following information.
As you exit the chapel to the right, continue
through the gateway pillars, down the steps, and onto the pathway.
Please do not climb on the grottos or take
any rock or decoration from them.
There are eight stops on the self-guided walking
tour:
Stop 1 The Bridge
Stop 2 St. Francis Grotto
Stop 3 St. Joseph Grotto
Stop 4 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grotto
Stop 5 Gethsemane Grotto
Stop 6 Our Lady of Sorrows Grotto
Stop 7 Assumption Grotto
Stop 8 Nativity Grotto
A variety of other grottos and sites on the
property are described later in this website information.
Stop 1: The Bridge -- As you walk on the bridge, pause and look to your
left. Before you is the Crucifixion Gethsemane Grotto. The crucifix
is a local landmark. During winter, hikers use it as a point
of reference as they walk through the woods. Over the years,
it has led many a lost soul to safety. To your right is a section
of cleared land and a solitary statute. It was here in the summer
of 1960 that Brother Bronislaus suffered a heat stroke. The statue
represents his final project -- a grotto to Our Lady of Fatima.
Stop 2: St. Francis Grotto -- Porcelain birds and small animals represent the
friendship St. Francis had with all creatures. The rabbits and
lambs were made by pouring concrete into cupcake molds. Inscribed
on the bronze tablet is the famous "Peace Prayer of St.
Francis." This prayer was so beloved by Eleanor Roosevelt
and Adelai Stevenson that they instructed it be inscribed on
their tombstones.
Stop 3: St. Joseph Grotto -- Notice the use of costume jewelry in the various
patterns and the colored glass set into the sides of the grotto.
When light passes through the jars, a stream of colored light
would shine forth. The flower pots contain "flowers"
that were once the light fixtures for the old monastery. These
flower pots were constructed from Jell-O molds, laying one on
top of the other. Some of the flowers were made from paper cupcake
molds. Continuing up the stairs, you reach a flower garden with
a statue of a boy playing with a dog. This was Brother Bronislaus'
favorite statue. Perhaps it reminded him of his youth.
Stop 4: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grotto
-- It was here that Brother Bronislaus
passed away. He had been sick with the Asian flu, and hadn't
fully recovered his strength when he returned to his work. On
August 12, 1960, he was overcome by the summer sun. Leaving a
trail of tools from the Fatima statue, he made his way to this
grotto. His body was discovered by members of the community.
They knew something was amiss when the failed to arrive for evening
prayers.
Stop 5: Gethsemane Grotto -- The Mount of Olives, where Our Lord and Savior
pleaded, "Can you not pray with me for even just one hour?"
While Jesus agonized in the garden, Peter, James and John slept.
In this grotto, colored jars were used again to enhance the decoration.
When it was first built, the jars would filter sunlight and illuminate
the sleeping apostles.
Stop 6: Our Lady of Sorrows Grotto -- You have now come to the first grotto built by
Brother Bronislaus. A perfectionist, he worked on this grotto
for years -- tearing it down and rebuilding it several times.
Though not as ornate as the other grottos, it has some fascinating
features. The white altar stone is from the original monastery
chapel. Prior to the present statue, a picture was placed there.
A deposit box with a coin drop can be found built into the base
of the grotto. Donations were made for lighting small vigil candles
at the base. The statue of St. Francis reaching up to Christ
Crucified is called the "Vision of St. Francis." Vandals
smashed the glass and stole the statue that Brother Bronislaus
had set there. The current statue was donated in 1997.
Stop 6a: The Wall -- As you continue on your tour, look at how the wall
ends and how bushes begin. The wall once stretched all the way
across, ending at a gateway pillar. In the late 1960s, a drunken
driver lost control of his car and plowed into the wall. The
damage was irreparable, and it was decided to plant bushes to
cover signs of the destruction.
Stop 7: Assumption Hill -- Turning to your right, you will continue to the
Assumption grotto. The pathway is lined with six small grottos.
These represent the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin, also known
as the Franciscan Crown Rosary. The first is The Annunciation,
second The Visitation, third The Birth of Our Lord,
fourth The Adoration of Jesus by the Magi, fifth The
Finding of Jesus in the Temple, and sixth Resurrection
of Our Lord. These smaller grottos culminate in the Assumption
Grotto, which is Stop 7a on your tour.
Stop 7a: Assumption Grotto -- With six smaller grottos leading to it, the Assumption
grotto represents The Assumption of Mary into Heaven. This
is the largest of the grottos on the property, and it marks the
former entrance to "The Way of the Cross," a two-mile
trek through the woods. Descending the hill, you are invited
to cross over the grass to the Crucifixion Outlook.
Stop 8: Nativity Grotto -- Following the path, you will come to the only natural
grotto on the property. It has been enhanced by the creativity
of Brother Bronislaus. This is a favorite of many visitors and,
during the Christmas season, pilgrims have been known to offer
gifts, just like the Magi.
The Walking Tour Concludes -- Returning to the Chapel, you are walking on the
future "Life Memorial Walkway." Further information
is available in the gift shop. The three bells before you are
the last bells struck by the Stuckstede Bell Company. The foundation
on which they rest is from the old bell tower that stood next
to the Cedar Wood Chapel. The bell tower was saved from fire,
only to be torn down after years of decay.
Around the Chapel and parking lot are 14 stations,
statues of St. Anthony, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of
Grace and, behind the gift shop, there is a statue of Our Lady
of Czestochowa. For more information, see the section "Other
Grottos and Sites on the Property."
You are invited to stay and meditate in the
Chapel or enjoy a picnic lunch in the pavilion.
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