By KJ Burns, Managing Editor
For decades, a statue of the Virgin Mary stood near Sacred Heart Hall, serving as a quiet place for prayer and reflection.
But Mary now has a new home outside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center.
The new Marian Grotto was blessed on Sept. 3 following Newman’s Mass of the Holy Spirit and Matriculation Ceremony.
Bishop Carl A. Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita led the blessing at a ceremony attended by members of the Newman community.
The grotto had to be moved because of renovations to Sacred Heart Hall, which include a new west-side entrance. The grotto had to be moved to make way for the project.
Newman Vice President for Institutional Advancement Bob Beumer and President Kathleen Jagger worked with several campus groups to determine the grotto’s new home.
After considering factors such as weather, drainage, accessibility, foliage and foot traffic, they determined the area outside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center was the best location.
The new grotto was built by Dondlinger Construction, led by Newman alumnus Raymond Dondlinger. The design features a rounded stone wall with the statue of Mary placed inside the curve, along with seating for visitors.
The project also included pieces of Newman’s history. Stones from the original grotto were preserved and incorporated into the new structure, as were stones from the former campus home of Bishop John Joseph Hennessy.
The statue itself was also heavily restored before being moved. Local artist Mary Frances Skinner restored the Virgin Mary sculpture, giving it new life before its placement in the new grotto.
The grotto is intended to continue the purpose of the original space by providing students and visitors on campus with a place to pray, reflect or have a quiet moment.
PHOTO: KJ Burns, Managing Editor
