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Amy and Jesse got married!

 

The Grotto

 

One of the most peaceful places I know is the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, located behind the campus of my alma mater, Mount St. Mary’s University. It is a mountain oasis that makes me feel peaceful and calm whenever I visit. When I was a student at the Mount, I used to walk up to the Grotto to read, or to  just drink in the beauty of nature.

Some friends and I attended a college reunion in June. It was a blast to reconnect with old friends and to see the vast improvements that have been made to the campus since we were students. Before I headed home I stopped by the Grotto. I can feel the cool water and shade on my skin from just looking at these pictures.

waterfall     Mary

The water from a spring next to the Mary statue above is said to be holy. People come from hundreds of miles away to fill up empty jugs and take the water home.

Each time I visit I notice something new. This time is was this darling memorial to an animal lover.

animals

The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. The gazebo is a great picnic spot.

gazebo