Rachel Evans
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic institution with a strong Catholic culture. While having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission, over 80% of students identify as Catholic. The university offers many opportunities for students to engage in Catholic practices, such as daily masses, Catholic student groups, and religious retreats. However, some non-Catholic students have expressed feeling like outsiders and navigating a saturated Catholic culture. Ultimately, students have the choice of how much they want to engage with the Catholic faith, and the university welcomes and supports all faiths within its community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of students who are Catholic | 80% |
| Percentage of students who are non-Catholic | 18% |
| Percentage of students who identify as Christian | 93% |
| Number of chapels on campus | 50+ |
| Number of chapels in residence halls | 32 |
| Number of Sunday Masses celebrated on campus weekly | 40+ |
| Number of daily Masses celebrated on campus weekly | 150 |
| Number of priests on campus | 70+ |
| Catholic courses | Introductory theology, advanced theology |
| Catholic student groups | The Grotto |
| Catholic clubs | Dedicated to Catholic theology |
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What You'll Learn
- Student experiences: 80% Catholic, but non-Catholic students feel welcomed
- Catholic culture: Catholic symbols and practices are prevalent on campus
- History: Founded by a Catholic priest in 1842, it has a history of anti-Catholic clashes
- Courses: Theology requirements include Catholic teachings, but non-Catholic professors exist
- Student life: Catholic clubs and masses are available, but not forced upon students
Student experiences: 80% Catholic, but non-Catholic students feel welcomed
The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a French missionary order. It was established as a Catholic institution and remains heavily Catholic to this day. The campus features Catholic chapels and crucifixes in almost every room. There are over 70 priests on campus, and Mass is celebrated over 150 times each week. The university also offers Catholic student groups and retreats.
However, while Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, it welcomes and supports students of all faiths. Approximately 80% of Notre Dame students are Catholic, while 18-20% do not identify as Catholic. One non-denominational Christian student shared their experience as a non-Catholic at Notre Dame, stating that while they sometimes felt like an outsider, they never felt pressured to participate in Catholic practices. They appreciated that Notre Dame provided opportunities to get involved in Catholicism but that it was always a choice.
Another non-Catholic student shared a similar sentiment, saying that their experience with faith at Notre Dame helped them understand why the university requires students to take theology courses. They never felt the need to justify not going to Mass and felt empowered to navigate their journey in faith. They also highlighted the embodiment of Christian love by the Notre Dame community, which aligned with their personal beliefs.
While the Catholic culture at Notre Dame is pervasive, it does not appear to be forced upon non-Catholic students. Students have the choice to engage with Catholicism as much or as little as they want. However, some non-Catholic students may still feel like outsiders or struggle to navigate such a saturated Catholic culture. Overall, Notre Dame's Catholic character is an essential aspect of its identity, but the university strives to welcome and support students from all faith backgrounds.
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Catholic culture: Catholic symbols and practices are prevalent on campus
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic institution with a student body that is around 80% Catholic. While having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission, Catholic symbols and practices are prevalent on campus. Each residence hall has its own chapel, and crucifixes are found in almost every room. The University's most recent capital campaign, which raised over $2 billion, was the largest in the history of Catholic higher education.
The official seal of Notre Dame is the coat of arms of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The shield symbolises protection and faith, while the three stars symbolise the Blessed Trinity. The letters N.D. stand for Notre Dame, and the crown surmounting the shield symbolises sovereignty, loyalty and victory. The sunflower is a symbol of St Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
The University's mascot, the Gremlin, was introduced during World War II. It was originally supposed to bring good luck to pilots and their planes. In the 1990s, the students changed the mascot to the Regents due to the negative associations of gremlins with the movie "The Gremlins".
Many of the most popular student events held on campus are organised by the 30 residential halls. These include the Keenan Revue, the Fisher Hall Regatta, Howard Hall Totter for Water, and the Dillon Hall Pep Rally. Each dorm also hosts many formal and informal balls and dances each year.
While Catholicism is prevalent on campus, Notre Dame does not force its beliefs on students. One non-denominational Christian student writes that they have never felt the need to justify not going to Mass. They also note that Notre Dame and its people embody Christian love, which is at the core of their personal beliefs.
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History: Founded by a Catholic priest in 1842, it has a history of anti-Catholic clashes
The University of Notre Dame was founded by a Catholic priest in 1842 and has a long history of Catholic affiliation. While the university welcomes students of all faiths, its Catholic identity is still very much present on campus. Each residence hall has its own chapel, and crucifixes are found in almost every room. The university also offers various clubs dedicated to Catholic theology and faith practices.
However, this prominent Catholic identity has also made the university a target of anti-Catholic sentiment throughout its history. One of the most notable episodes of anti-Catholic clashes occurred in 1924 when Notre Dame students confronted members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist and anti-Catholic movement, during a planned week-long rally in South Bend, Indiana. The students blocked the Klansmen from disembarking from their trains, ripped off their KKK regalia, and later protested downtown, leading to tense clashes. This incident represented a broader anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States during the 1920s, with Catholics facing mistrust and accusations of being anti-American.
The university's success during this time reflected the rising status of Irish Americans and Catholics, and it became a flagship institution of Catholicism. This made it an even bigger target for groups like the KKK, who saw South Bend as a Catholic stronghold. The students' resistance to the KKK's presence in their community demonstrated their refusal to back down in the face of anti-Catholic hatred.
In more recent times, there have been debates and controversies on campus surrounding the interpretation and implementation of Catholic identity and values. For example, the announcement of the Jenkins Center for Virtue Ethics caused controversy, with critics arguing that its ethical vision was not sufficiently rooted in Christian anthropology. These debates highlight the ongoing discussions and negotiations surrounding the role of Catholic identity at Notre Dame, even within its own Catholic community.
Despite these internal debates, Notre Dame continues to embrace its Catholic heritage and strives to integrate faith and reason in its pursuit of academic excellence.
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Courses: Theology requirements include Catholic teachings, but non-Catholic professors exist
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic institution with about 80% of its students identifying as Catholic. The university's Catholic character is defined by its founder, Rev. Edward F. Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who sought to establish a great Catholic university in America.
While Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, it does not force its beliefs on students. The university offers opportunities for students to easily get involved in practising Catholicism, but it is up to the individual to decide how much they want to engage with it. There are over 50 chapels on campus, including a chapel in each of the 32 residence halls, and more than 40 Sunday Masses and 150 daily Masses celebrated on campus each week. There are also Catholic student groups and places like The Grotto for those who want to engage with the Catholic community.
All Notre Dame students are required to take theology courses as part of their curriculum. These courses include Catholic teachings, but the extent to which they focus on Catholicism may vary depending on the professor teaching the course. For example, one student shared that their introductory theology course focused on reading the actual text of the Bible and its historical foundations, while another student's course included discussions about icons and other Catholic subjects. It is worth noting that not all professors teaching these theology courses are Catholic, and students from different faith backgrounds can bring their own perspectives to these classes.
While the university offers a rich Catholic environment, it also welcomes and supports students from all faiths. One non-denominational Christian student shared their experience of feeling some hesitation navigating the saturated Catholic culture but appreciated that they were never forced to participate in any Catholic practices. They also mentioned that having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission to the university.
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Student life: Catholic clubs and masses are available, but not forced upon students
The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a French missionary order. It is a Catholic institution with about 80% of its student body identifying as Catholic. The university's Catholic character is reflected in its student life, with numerous Catholic clubs and masses available to students. However, these religious activities are not mandatory, and students from all faiths are welcomed and supported.
The university offers a variety of student clubs, including those dedicated to Catholic theology and diverse faith practices. There are over 50 chapels on campus, including a chapel in each of the 32 residence halls, providing spaces for personal reflection and weekly Mass. Additionally, more than 40 Sunday Masses and 150 daily Masses are celebrated on campus each week, led by the 70 priests who serve as hall rectors, professors, and administrators.
While Notre Dame's Catholic identity is prominent, it does not force its beliefs on students. Students have the choice to engage with Catholic practices and communities as much or as little as they prefer. One student shares their experience as a non-denominational Christian at Notre Dame, expressing that they never felt pressured to attend Mass and appreciated the university's approach:
> "Notre Dame doesn’t force its beliefs on you. You have a choice on how much of it you let in. I appreciate that Notre Dame is very good at simply having the opportunities to easily get involved in practicing Catholicism. They are accessible and present, but you will never have to do anything you don’t choose to do."
The university also offers theology courses as a requirement for all students, providing an opportunity to explore faith and religion academically. However, some students have shared their struggles with navigating the Catholic culture as non-Catholics, feeling like outsiders at times. Nonetheless, Notre Dame embraces religious diversity and encourages students to find their path in faith.
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Frequently asked questions
Around 80% of Notre Dame students are Catholic.
Yes, Notre Dame is a Catholic university. However, it does not force its beliefs on students.
While having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission, some non-Catholic students have reported feeling like outsiders. However, one non-denominational Christian student wrote that Notre Dame is "very good at simply having the opportunities to easily get involved in practicing Catholicism" without forcing it upon students.
Yes, there are plenty of Catholic student groups at Notre Dame, as well as places like The Grotto for Catholic students.
Yes, every Notre Dame student is required to take one introductory theology course and another slightly more advanced one.
