Priests' Novitiate
In 1853 Father Alexis Granger cut away the underbrush on the northern
edge of St. Mary's Lake and chose a spot, with Father Sorin's approval,
for a novitiate for the priests. There they laid the foundations for
what was known as St. Aloysius' Novitiate. It had fourteen private
rooms and a chapel. In this quiet spot there was an atmosphere of deep
religious peace. It was built on the site of the present Holy Cross
Seminary.
-- Notre Dame -- One Hundred Years / by Arthur
J. Hope, C.S.C.
In this novitiate where young men or ecclesiastics prepare themselves,
with earnest endeavors, to become worthy and efficient Members of the
Congregation of Holy Cross, in acquiring the virutues and the learning
which must fit them for active life, visitors are rarely admitted, for
obvious reasons. The grounds are extensive and very tastefully laid
out and decorated. In summer, the chief occupation of the Novices,
during their recreations, ist he cultivation of flowers and the
cleaning of the many avenues that diverge in every directions through
this really charming grove. The close proximity of the two lakes, the
innumerable flowery plants you meet every where, the commanding
position it occupies, the beautiful monuments erected by the tenderest
peity, on its premises, its retirement and silence, its woody and
grassy lake-shores, every thing renders St. Aloysius' Novitiate a
delicious abode, another Eden. The house is spacious and can
accomodate a large number of Novices; but the chief beauty is the
chapel, painted by Prof. J. Ackermann -- an artist of no ordinary
merit.
Here is the place, par excellencewhere divine, religious
and human learning is pursued with the greatest earnestness and
application, and attended doubtlessly with the happiest and best
results.
-- 1865 Guide to N.D. and St.
Mary's