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Grand Coteau, Louisiana, is one of the truly holy places in North America. It is a town of mystery, with well-established ties to the supernatural, including the famous Miracle of Grand Coteau, in 1866. Traditionally a center for Catholic education and religious retreats, the town is home to the Academy of the Sacred Heart (founded 1821), Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House (1938), and St. Charles College, which functions as the Jesuit Spirituality Center and novitiate (1838). The book explores not only the history of these three institutions but also the substance of their teachings. For instance, it includes a chapter on St. Ignatius Loyola and the Spiritual Exercises, which is the theological basis for the retreats at both Jesuit-run retreat houses. The book has dozens of color photos, plus old photos going back to the mid-1800s, and two maps.