A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind Notre Dame's Grotto (Paperback)

by Dorothy V. Corson (Author)
Key Phrases: legendary sycamore, new grotto, first grotto, Notre Dame, Father Sorin, Our Lady (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A Cave of Candles tells the history of the Notre Dame Grotto from Father Sorin's arrival in the new world to the building of the Grotto and the evolution of the Spirit of Notre Dame as we know it today. Along the way we are treated to fascinating legend and lore like the mystery of the missing Empress Eugenie crown and the legend of the sycamore and to many rare, historical images and colorful contemporary photographs of the campus. The book also describes the filming of The Song of Bernadette movie, written by screenwriter George Seaton, "a South Bend boy", whose brother was a Notre Dame alumnus.

This particular book is unique and of world-wide and universal interest since everyone understands candles, prayers and problems. It is a one-of-a-kind, once in a lifetime book that represents 15 years of historical research on the campus of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College. It has 195 mostly color photographs from present-day all the way back to the 19th century, making it of particular interest to fans, alumni and friends of both campuses all over the world.

From the Publisher
For those who may be interested in learning more about the University of Notre Dame, Dorothy V. Corson also has an Internet website titled: The Spirit of Notre Dame: Its History, Legends and Lore. The newly published book, A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind Notre Dame's Grotto originated on that website. It became a reality in book form after continual requests from website readers asking if the historical research was available in bookstores.

Dorothy's 1994 first person journal of research, A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind the Notre Dame Grotto - what she found and how she found it -- went online on Lourdes Day, February 11, 2000. It was accompanied by a shorter third person 1995 version titled Notre Dame's Grotto which was condensed and rewritten in chronological order focused on Our Lady's influence on the campus from Sorin's arrival.

The second more focused version became the newly published book under the title of the original journal, A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind Notre Dame's Grotto.

During the 15 years of her research, Dorothy found herself taking interesting side paths researching little known legend and lore stories she happened upon by chance during her search. Soon they became just too irresistible not to pursue so she recorded them along the way.

She felt it would be a shame not to share them too on her website. Yet there were so many that preparing them to go online would be a humongous job. She had only one alternative. Learn to be a webmaster and add them herself or leave them unshared. The answer was obvious, but she would need a new main page for her website that would encompass all the new things on it.

The next day, she awoke with an idea for the perfect name -- The Spirit of Notre Dame: Its History, Legends and Lore - and she was hooked! She knew her Notre Dame odyssey would not be complete until that last mission was also accomplished.

Her new The Spirit of Notre Dame main page, which now includes "Fr. Corby's Favor Granted at Lourdes" and her "Notre Dame Legend and Lore" stories - went online on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003.

In the spring of 2006 work began on the third person published book version of her online research. Most of the photographs were redone at a much higher quality, and more were added along with a new "Author's Personal Epilogue."

A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind Notre Dame's Grotto has at last become a reality. It arrived in bookstores on December 13, 2006.

Voila, mission accomplished!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Dorothy V. Corson (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933858117
• ISBN-13: 978-1933858111
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #860,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Oh, to be able to get on my knees in the Grotto of Our Lady just now!", January 26, 2007

By	James E. O'Brien "Brother Jim O'Brien, OFM, C... (Libertyville, Il USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dorothy Corson's "A Cave of Candles: The Story Behind Notre Dame's Grotto," is one of the most fascinating and interesting books I have read in recent years. If you love Lourdes, if you love St. Bernadette, if you love the Grotto at Notre Dame, or if you simply love history, then this IS THE BOOK for YOU!! Loaded with in-depth research (interesting, not boring), top quality photographs, and an obvious love for her subject, Dorothy takes the reader through Fr. Sorin's love for Our Lady of Lourdes to his unending desire to construct a replica of the world-famous Grotto in the United Stares, notably on the Notre Dame Campus. The book discusses the trials and hardships encountered along the way, the tremendous faith in God and His Heavenly Mother Mary, to the realization of a dream as well as the impact the Grotto has had on countless numbers of students, religious, and anyone touched by its presence!

Dorothy manages to share stories of Indians, the "Legend of the Sycamore," workers involved in the Grotto "project," and constructs for us the life and times of the people of South Bend as they live and work amidst the building of Notre Dame and its most hallowed spot. You can't help but want to keep turning page after page as the story unfolds. Dorothy's compilation of photographs, vintage and contemporary, allows the reader to experience the "Grotto" from a beautifully visual perspective. If you're like me - one who loves photos - you'll love the selection of images that compliments the text on almost every page! You actually feel as though YOU ARE THERE as the dream of a "Grotto" comes to fruition.

As for me, I lived in Mishawaka, Indiana for nearly a year. During my time there I visited the Notre Dame Grotto MANY times. I actually had the privilege of finding the Web version of the "Cave of Candles" as I dabbled through my computer one evening. I also had the distinct privilege of meeting its author, Dorothy Corson. She's as lovely a lady as her book is lovely. Without a doubt, Dorothy has made this book a genuine "labor of love."

Having been to the actual Shrine of Lourdes in France twenty six times, the Notre Dame Grotto has become for me a true place of worship, a place of tranquility and hope. The more I think of Lourdes, the more I share in the beauty of this book, I can't help but think of the legendary Tom Dooley when he said, "Oh, to be able to get on my knees in the Grotto of Our Lady just now!" Dorothy's book allows me to do that!

Brother Jim O'Brien, OFM, Conv., R.N.