A SPACE FOR PRAYER FOR GENERATIONS
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Dedication
On. Sept. 9, 2025, Bishop Miege joyfully dedicated the new Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, a sacred space on campus to share the powerful story of Our Lady of Lourdes and her message of hope, prayer, and healing. It is our hope that this Grotto will become a source of peace for all who visit, a place where people can find solace, offer a prayer, and feel closer to God.
A Morning Blessed by Rain and Grace
Just as the healing waters of Lourdes have drawn countless pilgrims to prayer, a morning rain seemed to bless Bishop Miege as we gathered to dedicate our new Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. The groundbreaking for this sacred space took place on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, a fitting reminder of Mary’s “yes” to God.
For the first time as a community, we welcomed Archbishop Shawn McKnight to campus to celebrate with Bishop Miege. Through the generosity of our incredible donors, the entire project was donated at no cost to the school. We are so grateful to the Dunn Family, JE Dunn Construction, and HTK Architects for this sacred space, which offers a peaceful place to pause and pray.
The dream of a grotto at Bishop Miege began when the Dunn family felt called to create a focal point of spirituality — a place where students could gather in prayer before, during, and after school. The family wanted to honor Bill and Jean Dunn, and the community was blessed to welcome Bill Dunn Sr., who attended the dedication at the remarkable age of 102.
“If you look on the plaque, this Grotto is dedicated to the students, the faculty, the alumni, and their families who have been involved in this school.”
— Terry Dunn (‘67)
Words of Gratitude and Hope
Interim President Joe Schramp
“The Grotto will be a visible, enduring symbol of our gratitude for our Blessed Mother’s special intercession and protection. It’s a place where everyone passes by, so even if someone doesn’t stop to see Mary, Mary will see them.”
Herd Executive Jack Gelhaus
“The new Grotto has been a great addition to our school. I really appreciate it specifically for our Theology classes, which are able to go outside, sit around the Grotto, and have some quiet prayer time.”
Terry Dunn ('67)
“I would hope to inspire each student when they walk in the door, reflect on this Grotto, and hopefully spend a moment to say a Hail Mary to begin their day. Perhaps at the end of the day, say that Hail Mary. Our Lady is very, very special.”
A Celebration that Echoed Lourdes
The day mirrored the heart of Lourdes itself. Students filled the gym with candlelight during the dedication, recalling the nightly 9 p.m. Rosary procession in southern France. At the Grotto, the Cantare Deum Women’s Ensemble led the hymn, and our eight Herd Execs placed candles at the Grotto.
French teacher Mrs. Leigh-Ann Haggerty offered a moving witness about the miracles and peace her family experienced on pilgrimage this summer and announced that she will lead Miege’s first mission trip to Lourdes next year.
Mrs. Haggerty: The Three Wonders of Lourdes
“Having been to Lourdes and dedicating the Grotto today I wanted to share with you three wonders about Lourdes.”
Service
“We had high school students from around the U.S., who helped out with serving food, fetching Lourdes water from the Grotto, and pushing people in wheelchairs to Mass, Rosaries, and up the steep mountain hills to Bernadette’s house. We all came together and looked out for each other and enjoyed each other’s company and shared our stories, some of which were miracles.”
Miracles
“I hate to admit it as I was hoping for a miracle for our family, but I was a doubting Thomas. We had dinner one night with Father John Hallowell, who had once had brain cancer. He went to Lourdes with his suffering and washed his hands and face in the Lourdes water. Two months after he returned, he went for his standard MRI, and the cancer was gone. I know this seems too hard to believe, but I met him, and his case was analyzed by panels of medical professionals of all religions. This and other miracles such as bones growing back, people cured of pain, and many more miracles have taken place in Lourdes. All you need is, ‘One drop of water and a lot of faith.’”
Universality
“At 9 p.m. every night in Lourdes, there is a candlelit procession of everyone praying the Rosary in their native languages. We heard French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, and so many more. I challenge you to say the Rosary in any language that you know. This plethora of languages shows the Universality of the Catholic Church.”
Called to Lives of Trust and Prayer
After the dedication, Archbishop McKnight entered the gymnasium to personally greet our students. At that very moment, the student body was joyfully immersed in singing “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above, O Maria.” The hymn filled the space with reverence and energy, creating a moving backdrop for his presence.
The Archbishop extended his blessing upon the entire student body, faculty, and staff gathered in the gym. In his words of encouragement, he reminded everyone of the importance of staying close to the Lord and to His Mother, Mary. It was a call to root our daily lives in faith, prayer, and trust in Mary’s constant intercession.
“In Mary, the Church joyously contemplates the image of all that the Church itself desires and hopes wholly to be. The Church recognizes in Mary the model of the path and the practice it must follow to reach complete union with Christ. As the Spouse of Christ, the Church raises its eyes to Mary, the exemplar it must look to in carrying out the work of the apostolate.” — Archbishop Shawn McKnight
A Place for Generations
Already, the Grotto is alive with prayer. On the same afternoon of the dedication, the Stag tennis team prayed a decade of the Rosary before heading to a match in Topeka. The football team has also paused here for prayer before loading the bus for an away game. St. Agnes eighth-graders came over to pray a Rosary in the space.
Students and families have been stopping by to light candles and offer quiet petitions, while entire classes have gathered to sit in peaceful reflection. After sunset, the Grotto glows with gentle light, inviting all who pass to linger.
May this sacred space stand as a visible sign of Our Lady’s protection — a wellspring of peace and healing for everyone who walks through Bishop Miege.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
“When we dedicate ourselves to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, she in turn blesses us. Miracles happen when we entrust her with our needs.”
— Principal Maureen Engen
Students Help Bring the Dedication to Life
Altar servers, choir members, Herd Executives, and more offered their time and talents throughout the morning, ensuring the Grotto dedication was a prayerful and welcoming celebration.
A Sacred Space for Miege: The Lourdes Grotto Dedication
Relive the beauty of this special day as we dedicated the new Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Bishop Miege. A heartfelt thank you to our Advanced Video Production program for capturing and sharing this moment for our community.