Today in Catholic History

On May 17, 1934 the Ave Maria Grotto at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, AL was dedicated. This is on my list of places to visit someday. From the website of the grotto:

The Ave Maria Grotto, known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature", is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Begun as a hobby, with various materials he could find, and infinite patience and a remarkable sense of symmetry and proportion, Brother Joseph re-created some of the greatest edifices of all time.

Thanks Brother Joseph! I hope to see your Ave Maria Grotto some day!

Source: America's Great (and not so great) Catholic Moments by Thomas J. Craughwell