 Because of Kilmer 's close identification with Roman Catholicism and his correspondence with many priests and theologians , a tree located near a <unk> 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 <unk> , the claim was first made by a priest named Henry <unk> . 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 . 
