Tree of Life
Dickeyville, Wisconsin
The rear wall of the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin at
Dickeyville
includes
a composition called the “Tree of Life” or the “Holy Ghost Tree”. With a trunk made of a large piece of
petrified wood, the tree reaches toward the top of the grotto’s roof comb.
Its branches, rendered in petrified wood and glass, support
the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost.
Atop the tree is an upturned dove, representing the Holy
Spirit.
In creating this part of his composition Wernerus wrote “We
needed the help of the Holy Ghost in the erection of the Grotto. To draw down a special blessing from the
Spirit of Light and Love we resolved to represent the Seven Gifts and the 12
Fruits of the Holy Ghost on the outside of the walls.”
Text
and photos copyright, Susan A. Niles