Grace Thompson
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic university founded in 1842. It is one of the best colleges in the United States, ranking 18th in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. The university's Catholic character informs all it does, from its academic and spiritual lives to its pursuit of truth and desire to serve the community. Notre Dame's success reflected the rising status of Irish Americans and Catholics in the 1920s, with Catholics rallying around the team and listening to their games on the radio. The university has since grown and transformed into a top-tier academic powerhouse, with a significantly increased endowment, operating budget, research funding, and student enrollment. The Catholic nature of the university is evident through its more than 50 on-campus chapels, weekly masses, and service-learning programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of pilgrimage and prayer | Draws Catholics for vespers (evening prayers), Masses, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation |
| A symbol of the transcendent human spirit and longing for God | The faith and love embodied by the cathedral will grow stronger in the hearts of all Christians |
| Home church of Paris' Archbishop Michel Aupetit | N/A |
| Display of holy relics | Holy Crown, believed to be from the crown of thorns placed on Jesus |
| Display of holy relics | Fragment of the Wood of the Cross, believed to be a part of the "true cross" on which Jesus was crucified |
| Display of holy relics | One of the nails used to crucify Jesus |
| A place to pray or go to Mass for Catholics visiting Paris | N/A |
| A Catholic institution | More than 80% of Notre Dame students participate in service or service learning before they graduate |
| Catholic influence varies by department | The Art program is relatively uninfluenced by the Catholic nature of the university |
| Catholic influence varies by class | A non-Catholic student found a class called "Chinese Ways of Thought" interesting for learning about Catholicism from a Catholic perspective |
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What You'll Learn
Notre Dame is a Catholic institution
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic institution with a rich history and a strong commitment to its Catholic faith and values. Firstly, it is important to note that Notre Dame has been a flagship institution of Catholicism, reflecting the rising status of Catholics in the 1920s. This made it a target of anti-Catholicism, with a notable clash occurring between students and the Ku Klux Klan in 1924.
The Catholic identity of Notre Dame is evident in its academic and spiritual life. The university's mission is guided by the belief that their Catholic faith informs their pursuit of truth and shapes all aspects of campus life. Community service, for example, is a key part of the Notre Dame experience, with over 80% of students participating before graduation. This commitment to service is a way for students to live out their faith and put their passions to use for the greater good. Additionally, the university offers a wide range of spiritual resources, including more than 50 chapels on campus, daily and Sunday Masses, and various faith-based groups and retreats.
The influence of Catholicism at Notre Dame extends to its academic programs and requirements. All students are required to take theology courses, with the first course taught from a Catholic perspective. While the level of Catholic influence varies across departments, it is present in some form throughout the university. For example, the Art program may incorporate discussions of Catholic icons, and even the Physics department has Catholic faculty members.
The university's administration has also actively worked to strengthen its Catholic identity. During his presidency, John J. Cavanaugh reshaped the university administration to better serve its educational mission. More recently, there has been a push to hire more Catholic faculty, and the university's most recent capital campaign reflected a commitment to Catholic higher education by raising over $2 billion.
While Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, it welcomes and supports people of all faiths. Students and faculty from other religious backgrounds have shared their experiences of feeling respected and included on campus, with no pressure to adopt Catholic beliefs or practices. This inclusive environment allows individuals to navigate their own spiritual journeys while being part of a vibrant and diverse community.
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It is a place of pilgrimage and prayer
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, is an important place of pilgrimage and prayer for Catholics. It is not a parish church, meaning it does not have a congregation that "belongs" to the church. However, it is the home church of Paris' Archbishop Michel Aupetit. The cathedral is open daily for Mass, vespers (evening prayers), and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance).
Every year during Holy Week, Notre Dame unveils sacred relics for pilgrims to venerate. Among these relics is the Holy Crown, believed to be from the crown of thorns placed on Jesus's head. The cathedral possesses other significant relics connected to Holy Week, including a fragment of the Wood of the Cross, believed to be from the "true cross" on which Jesus was crucified, and one of the nails used in the crucifixion.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster in England, emphasised the cathedral's spiritual significance for Catholics, referring to it as "the heart of the faith" in Europe. During the 2019 fire that devastated the cathedral, Cardinal Nichols expressed his grief and emotion at witnessing the iconic Gothic architecture engulfed in flames.
The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit writer based in New York, shared similar sentiments, stating, "Outside of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, I don't think there's a more iconic church for Catholics." The fire occurred during Holy Week, the most sacred time on the Christian calendar, adding symbolic weight to the tragedy for Catholics worldwide.
In conclusion, Notre Dame Cathedral stands as a significant place of pilgrimage and prayer for Catholics, offering opportunities for spiritual reflection and connection to sacred relics. The cathedral's architectural grandeur and long history as a symbol of French Catholicism further contribute to its importance in the Catholic faith.
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It is a symbol of the transcendent human spirit
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is an important symbol of the transcendent human spirit. For generations, it has been a place of pilgrimage and prayer, and even as religion in France declined, it remained the beating heart of French Catholicism, open every day for Mass. It is not a parish church, meaning it does not have a regular body of worshippers who "belong" to the church. However, it is still the home church of Paris' Archbishop Michel Aupetit and draws Catholics for vespers (evening prayers), Masses, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance.
Every year during Holy Week, Notre Dame unveils some of the most coveted relics in Christendom, including the Holy Crown, believed to be from the crown of thorns placed on Jesus, a fragment of the Wood of the True Cross, and one of the nails used to crucify Jesus. Catholics have prayed with these relics for over 16 centuries.
The cathedral's significance extends beyond its religious functions, as it embodies the transcendent human spirit. It is a testament to human creativity, craftsmanship, and our ability to create something greater than ourselves. The iconic Gothic architecture and spire, though damaged by the fire, continue to inspire awe and remind us of our potential for greatness.
The fire that engulfed the cathedral in 2019, during Holy Week, held additional symbolic value. Despite the devastation, many Catholics, like Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, connected the fire to the upcoming Easter holy day, a time of hope and resurrection. DiNardo expressed his belief that the faith and love embodied by the cathedral would only grow stronger in the hearts of Christians.
Thus, the Notre Dame Cathedral stands as a powerful symbol of the transcendent human spirit, reflecting our capacity for devotion, resilience, and the pursuit of something greater.
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It is a place to view holy relics
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is a site of profound religious significance for Catholics, housing several holy relics associated with the Passion of Christ. These relics, known as the "relics of the Passion," hold immense importance in Christian tradition due to their presumed connection to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
One of the most notable relics housed at Notre-Dame is the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been placed on Jesus' head before his crucifixion. This relic, made from braided rushes bound by gold wire, is approximately eight inches in diameter. It was brought to the cathedral in 1239 by Louis IX, the future Saint Louis, who purchased it from the Latin Emperor of Byzantium, Baudouin II de Courtenay. The Crown of Thorns is considered the most precious and revered relic at Notre-Dame, and it is traditionally shown only on Easter Sunday, commemorating the resurrection of Christ three days after his death on the cross.
In addition to the Crown of Thorns, Notre-Dame Cathedral is also home to other significant relics, including a piece of the cross used in the crucifixion and a nail measuring 9 cm in length. The nail is believed to have originated from the treasure of the Holy Sepulcher and was given to the Emperor Charlemagne in 799 by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, along with other relics of the crucifixion. These relics have a long history, with stories of pilgrims mentioning their veneration as early as the 4th century.
The presence of these holy relics at Notre-Dame Cathedral makes it a highly significant site for Catholics and Christians worldwide. The relics are not only objects of historical and religious importance but also serve as tangible connections to the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They provide a sense of proximity to the sacred events of the Christian faith and offer a focal point for devotion, prayer, and reflection for believers.
The preservation and display of these relics within the cathedral have been carefully managed throughout history. During the French Revolution, the relics were temporarily housed at the Abbey of Saint-Denis and the National Library before being returned to the cathedral in 1806. Despite the devastating fire that ravaged Notre-Dame in 2019, several relics, including the Crown of Thorns, were confirmed to have survived, providing some solace to the religious community and the world.
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It has been a target of anti-Catholicism
The University of Notre Dame has been a target of anti-Catholicism, especially in the 1920s. Its role as a high-profile flagship institution of Catholicism made it an easy target. The most notable episode of violence was a clash in 1924 between Notre Dame students and the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist and anti-Catholic movement.
In the 1920s, the KKK did not target Black people in Indiana because there weren't many. Instead, its nativist anger focused on Catholicism, widely mistrusted as an anti-American force taking orders from foreigners in the Vatican. Notre Dame sewers were rumoured to harbour an arsenal for a Catholic uprising. The KKK decided to hold a week-long Klavern in South Bend, Indiana, in May 1924, to showcase its power and cement its grip on the state's politics.
Clashes with the student body started on May 17, when students blocked the Klansmen from getting off their trains in the South Bend station and ripped off their clothes and regalia. About 500 students stormed downtown and ripped the hoods and robes off surprised Klan members. The next day, thousands of students massed downtown protesting the Klavern, and only the arrival of college president Walsh prevented any further clashes. This incident represented the students' free-spirited success in facing down hatred, but it also revealed the real dangers of violent anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant sentiment in Indiana and the nation.
The Notre Dame community has continued to face anti-Catholic sentiment. The University has been accused of being an "easy target" for anti-Catholicism due to its prominent Catholic identity. Notre Dame's Institute for Social Concerns, for example, has been criticised for its focus on community-based service, which is rooted in the Catholic faith's commitment to serving others. Despite these criticisms, the University remains committed to its Catholic identity and values, with more than 80% of students participating in service or service learning before graduation.
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Frequently asked questions
Notre Dame is a Catholic institution with a mission that is guided by the pursuit of truth. It is also the name of a cathedral in Paris, France, which is considered the home church of Paris' Archbishop Michel Aupetit.
For generations, Notre Dame has been a place of pilgrimage and prayer. It is considered the beating heart of French Catholicism and is open every day for Mass. It is also home to several holy relics, including the Holy Crown, believed to be from the crown of thorns placed on Jesus.
The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral during Holy Week was particularly devastating for Catholics as it occurred during the most sacred time on the Christian calendar. It also happened amid worldwide controversy surrounding the Catholic Church's abuse of children and public anger in France over rising fuel prices.
While Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, all faiths practised within its community are welcomed and supported. It is estimated that 18% of Notre Dame students do not identify as Catholic.
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