 Because of Kilmer 's close identification with Roman Catholicism and his correspondence with many priests and theologians , a tree located near a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend , Indiana has been asserted as the inspiration for the poem . According to Dorothy Corson , the claim was first made by a priest named Henry Kemper . There are several accounts that Kilmer visited the campus of Notre Dame to lecture and to visit friends , but none of these accounts or occasions date before 1914 . 
 Because of Kilmer <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>close identification with Roman Catholicism and his correspondence with many priests and theologians , a tree located near a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend , Indiana <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>has</mark></a> been asserted as the inspiration for the poem . According to Dorothy Corson , the claim was first made by a priest named Henry Kemper . <a href='dey_it' title='3'><mark>There</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='4'><mark>are</mark></a> several accounts that Kilmer visited the campus of Notre Dame to lecture and to visit friends , but <a href='negative_concord' title='5'><mark>none</mark></a> of these accounts or occasions date before 1914 . 
B/c of Kilmer  close identification with Roman Catholicism and his correspondence with many priests and theologians , a tree located near a grotto dedicated to da Virgin Mary at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend , Indiana done been asserted as the inspiration for tdapoem . According to Dorothy Corson , the claim was first made by a priest named Henry Kemper . It ain't several accounts that Kilmer visited the campus of Notre Dame to lecture and to visit friends , but none of dem accounts or occasions date b4 1914 .