Tim Sullivan ’93
Tim Sullivan ’93 spent years in a holy ritual of faith, lighting candles for his mother’s life at Notre Dame’s Grotto.
“My mom lived for more than 25 years after that original cancer diagnosis, during which she continued to battle the disease. When she passed away in 2018, it was so peaceful and natural. She held a rosary in her hand and was surrounded by me and my dad. I wasn’t angry or overcome with grief, but instead so grateful to Mary for helping my mom live so many healthy years.
“My mom used to remind us that the sun is always shining, even if we can’t see it through the cloudy skies and dark days. In this Advent season of hope, may we all persevere to pray in faith, over and over again, through the good, frightening, or overwhelming times.”
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This is what love is ..
The tears are streaming down my face after hearing your beautiful words. My Mom passed away in June. I miss her everyday.
God bless
Thanks for sharing your inspirational story. I found out my mother had cancer when I was in college too. Although, I did not have the sacred Grotto to pray for her survival. It is truly a special place to pray.
Tim, your message and life experience is poignant, moving and inspirational.
Peace to you today and through the Christmas Season
Thanks for your inspirational sacred story; my sister passed last Saturday after a battle with NET cancer; I will miss her but am glad she is at peace and no longer in pain;
Wishing you a Blessed Advent Season ahead ☘️
Thank you for your story! So beautiful! I pray to Mary every day! I can’t imagine my life without her. 💙💙💙
Thank you for your words. My son is a freshman at Notre Dame this year and visits the Grotto often because it is such a special place. My father just passed away a month ago from a 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer and my husband is battling cancer as well. Our son finds comfort in going to the Grotto and praying for his grandfather and father. The weekend we dropped him off for school we lit candles for my father, our son and my husband in prayers that Mary would watch over all of them.
Gosh, I needed to hear that today. It soothed me and helped me relax more than I have in a while. Yes, Mary is always there to listen to our concerns and our grief
Thank you for sharing and I wish you peace.
This story made me weep. Thanks for sharing
So sweet. Our Lady so present. My mother who was a prayerful servant of our Lady called out to her the eve of her death as she passed from cancer in 2007. Still a vivid memory.
Thank you for your beautiful scared story. It brought me to tears and hit very close to home. My mom passed from breast cancer in 1990 when I was a sophomore at SMC. I used to run to the grotto daily and pray for her there and I still return to campus yearly where I make a point of visiting the Grotto to light a candle asking for Mary’s guidance. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your sacred, emotional and inspiring story
I’m not sure what prompted me to open this email and view the video, but today marks 3 years from my mother’s passing……’don’t cry because it’s over, but smile because it happened”. Thank you Tim!
I just lost my Mom in October. She was a wonderful woman much like your Mom. She lived thru many health challenges to 84 years old. I know she is smiling down from heaven with the love of her life, my Dad. Peace be with you.
Extremely Poignant and Beneficially Impactful. May Our Creator God continue to Bless Each of Us. The Grotto, as it is for many, one of my most favorite Places on This Earth. Through Tim’s example, I shall have the Intention to come even closer to Mary.
As I type this, I am reminded that “Mary” is Already Here! I thank each of you for your Presence this Advent and All of our Days.
The sun is always shining! Love this story! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Christmas 🎄 Blessings 🙏
Thank you Tim. I cried thru your story and then I immediately texted my mom and said “I love you”. My mom is a breast cancer survivor and we found out at Thanksgiving one year that she had ” had a biopsy”. Thank you for reminding us to treasure our loved ones.
Tim,
Thank you for sharing, God Bless you and your family….Go IRISH!!!!
Such a beautiful and inspiring story Tim. We are classmates from the class of ‘93 and it’s amazing to me that we never know what challenges our neighbors are going through in the midst of our daily lives. I lost my first husband to cancer in 2003 and the message your mother left you all is a wonderful way to find joy in our sorrow. Wishing you and your family joy and peace this Christmas season. Thank you for sharing your story.
So sorry about your loss Tim, it;s times like these we somehow find the inner strength to say ‘’it’s ok’’ that they have peace now and no more pain. My dearest husband went to be with the Lord this passed April. We had so hoped to return ND campus next year for his 70th reunion. Yes, he graduated in 1954. Loved, loved everything about his time on campus.
Gone bless everyone at ND and peace to all. Joy
Seeing the photos of your dear mother and listening to your account of her life, I was extremely touched.
You were blessed to have such a beautiful (both inside & outside) parent in your life. Her wise advice and devotion to Mother Mary are priceless. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing, Tim. Beautiful and inspiring! God Bless and best of holidays!
The Grotto always held a special place and it was where I would go when I needed some extra peace and comfort while at ND. Returning to campus several times a year since we graduated 30 years ago (wow can’t believe it has been 20 years), I find that a feeling of peace washes over me when I step foot on campus and I feel even more peace and comfort when I visit the Grotto. I have lit many candles over the years for friends and family, for gratitude and for the loved ones I have lost. I have lit extra candles for my mom and dad every visit since mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and after her passing in June 2020 and for my dad who died in Dec of 2021 from COVID. While it doesn’t get any easier and I’ve shed many a tear while lighting the candles, it does bring some peace so I understand how you feel and what you meant in your video. You mom is watching over you and smiling. My son (’23) wears my mom’s cross as you do your moms to keep her close.
Beautiful heartfelt story, Tim. Thanks for sharing with me.
This is the first time in reading these things that I’ve been moved to tears. I’m class of ’83, and my mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer during the fall of my sophomore year. Unfortunately, she also died the day after I returned home from my spring finals (in May ’81). In any case, I’m very happy for you and the additional years that you had with your mom. Your obvious love for such a clearly lovely woman was very touching.
What a moving story. You brought me to tears. I am so happy you were comforted by your prayers at the Grotto. God bless you and your mom.
Beautiful story about your beautiful mother. It’s true, the SON is always shining.
The grotto is a place for peace, comfort, and hope; thank you for reminding us of that.
Tim, thank you for sharing your story! Please accept my condolences and God bless you and your family.
These videos have been excellent!
What a good son… Beautiful words about your mother, and the Blessed Mother. Thank you.
The Sun does indeed shine through the intercession of Mary
Tim,
so appreciate you sharing your story…your Mom sounds like the kind of person everyone in a room would be drawn towards…special.
Your prayers allowed that wondrousness to be shared with so many more over her lifetime…Blessings!