Marian Year + The Grotto

MARIAN YEAR

The Church’s first Marian Year opened in December of 1953, ordered by Pope Pius XII. Loras held special opening ceremonies, led by Cardinal Thomas Tien and the Most Rev. Henry P. Rohlman, Archbishop of the Diocese of Dubuque.

THE LOURDES GROTTO

To further celebrate the Marian Year, Loras opened the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in the Keane Oaks area of campus in September 1954. The grotto was modeled after the site of Marian apparitions in Lourdes, France, and was blessed by Most Rev. Henry P. Rohlman in October 1954.