Notre Dame's Grotto / by Dorothy V. Corson
The Sanctuary Lamp
From Sorin's first pilgrimage to Lourdes, France in 1873, the focus at Notre Dame centered on Our Lady of Lourdes. The Ave Maria's announcement of the arrival of a sanctuary lamp, in 1875, was more evidence of a desire on Sorin's part to honor his nephew's deathbed request. It was completed on December 8, 1874, shortly after Lemonnier's death. The Scholastic (43) also refers to a lamp being presented to the church in memory of Fr. Lemonnier at this same time.
This sanctuary lamp is an exact replica of the one in Lourdes, France. It is the only sanctuary lamp displayed in the church today. It was refurbished during the last renovation, which was completed in 1992.
The Ave Maria described "the wonderfully beautiful Lamp, a gift of the Dioceses of Vivers and Valence, France, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, France."
It is a masterpiece of true religious art, designed by M. Bossan, the eminent architect, and executed by M. Armand Calliat, one of the first goldsmiths of France. As the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at Notre Dame is to have a similar artistic gem from the same maker, a compendious account of the Lamp may not be considered uninteresting. A detailed description follows with the mention of the wording on the "circlet of the crown . . . which adorns, without concealing, the crystal chalice which contains the oil. The circlet of the crown is blue, with the inscription, in Latin: "In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men."
The jewels adorning the dragon figures are also described in detail with this added:
Between these brilliant figures there are three shields blue, with a golden representation of scenes in the Nativity of Our Lord wherein He manifests Himself, by light, -- to the shepherds, the Magi, and in His own Divine Person. . . . Three beautiful chains of golden leaves, flowers and blue globules, attached to the dragons' necks, meet above in the inner centre of a reflecting crown, composed of the monogram "A.M." (Ave Maria ) interlaced with the cross and six broad leaves. From the bottom of the Lamp hang two golden pendants, connected about the middle by a medallion on which there is the following inscription:
THE LAMP
HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE SANCTUARY OF
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART
AT NOTRE DAME, INDIANA
BY THE DEVOTED FRIENDS OF JESUS AND MARY
IN AMERICA,
AS A TOKEN OF THEIR FAITH AND BURNING LOVE,
TO KEEP WATCH IN THEIR NAMES
AND PERPETUATE THROUGH THE DAY AND THROUGH
THE NIGHT THEIR
ADORATIONS, THEIR PRAISES, AND THEIR SUPPLICATIONS
BEFORE THE AUGUST SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
DECEMBER 8, 1874.(44)
This exquisite sanctuary lamp is filled with the finest Italian olive oil and is kept burning day and night in the sanctuary of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Another source describes how the lamp was made larger for Father Sorin.
Armand Caillat made a lamp for Father Sorin five centimeters larger than the Lourdes lamp and in every way an improvement on the first and today this genuine work of art hangs before the main altar in Sacred Heart Church. Few members of the Community realize how beautiful this lamp is, because few have ever had a close enough look to see its exquisite workmanship.(45)
In the intervening 14 years it took to complete the remaining chapels the original plans for the large chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, in Father Lemonnier's memory, were modified. An altar and a stained glass window depicting Lourdes(46) were added to the church instead, and the newly completed chapel with its Madonna statue became the Lady Chapel.
The years 1874 and 1875 were filled with events associated with the Blessed Virgin, some of them sad. On November 14, 1874, two weeks after the death of Father Lemonnier, acting president of Notre Dame, Father Gillespie passed away. Sixteen years had passed since he brought back the plans for the replica of the Chapel of Loretto shrine at St. Mary's in 1858, the first replica of a shrine on either campus. Now his body was laid out in the Chapel. He is said to be the only one accorded this privilege.
Of all the chapels about Notre Dame and St. Mary's, Loretto was his favorite, and it was fitting that when his soul had fled to heaven his body should be laid out in this sweet place. The blessed candles were interspersed here and there among the many beautiful hot house plants and by these candles alone was the little chapel lighted.(47)
A statue of Our Lady of Consolation, which Mother Superior brought from Luxembourg a year after his death, was placed in the Chapel of Loretto on September 28, 1978. It honors Mary, the protectress of Luxembourg, the Mother who ever since the 16th century has given so many proofs of her watchful care over the city, guarding it from pestilence and the arms of enemies.
The Blessing of the statue was the occasion of a very interesting ceremony in the convent chapel.
Sorin presided assisted by Fathers Granger and Corby. Very Rev. Father Corby made a few remarks on the devotion to the Holy Mother of God, and the proper respect and relative honor due to all religious symbols, marking the great distinction between the adoration and veneration given respectively to God and the Blessed Virgin.(48)
With appropriate ceremony, the statue of Our Lady of Consolation was carried on a tastefully decorated stand. A candlelight procession wound round the avenues and parterres near the academy and along the bank of the St. Joseph River.
