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Salt of the Earth
Notre Dame is heralded as a premier Catholic institution. Yet, it is not the only Catholic university in the country or the world. It’s hard not to wonder — what makes it unique? What sets it apart from Georgetown, Boston College and Villanova, among others?
While not the oldest Catholic institution in the United States — that title belongs to Georgetown — Notre Dame does boast both the oldest law school (founded in 1869) and the oldest engineering program (founded in 1873) at a Catholic university. Notre Dame’s identity is built upon the foundation of the Congregation of the Holy Cross — long known as stalwarts of scholarship.
Since its founding, Notre Dame has been a leader in new scientific discoveries, a movement spearheaded by Holy Cross priests. Rev. Terrence Ehrman, C.S.C, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Theology, pinpoints this as an integral part of the university’s unique nature: “To be able to study those fields and have research in those fields and top scholars in those fields — that’s part of what sets Notre Dame apart.”
Rev. Julius Nieuwland, C.S.C., the namesake of Nieuwland Hall of Science, was a Holy Cross priest and chemistry professor at Notre Dame in the early 20th century who was credited with discovering the precursor to synthetic rubber. LaFortune Hall, long recognized as a student center, once was known as the Science Hall and housed one of the largest particle accelerators in the world. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was the tower for the first wireless radio transmission sent in the United States, transmitted from the Basilica to Bertram Hall on St. Mary’s campus. The Catholic identity of Notre Dame is inextricably linked to its academic reputation, fueling its mission: “As a Catholic university, one of its distinctive goals is to provide a forum where, through free inquiry and open discussion, the various lines of Catholic thought may intersect with all the forms of knowledge found in the arts, sciences, professions, and every other area of human scholarship and creativity.”
Whether this reputation is a draw for students to attend the university is dependent on the individual. When asked about their reasons for attending Notre Dame, students cited a variety of reasons. Senior Demetrios Fotopoulos, a Greek Orthodox student, noted that “I really liked that the university was inspired by Christ’s message and Christ’s teachings, and that, in theory, it calls upon its students to act in a way that aligns with God’s hope for humanity to do great things and to emulate his son’s works.” Although Fotopoulos isn’t Catholic, he found common ground in these broader sentiments. Senior Derick Williams also wasn’t Catholic when he committed to Notre Dame, though he is now. His reasoning came down to both proximity and strong academics, though he attributes the success of the school largely to its Catholic roots: “Catholicism being the force for good is rooted in the faith that made Notre Dame and is still alive today. So I decided to come to Notre Dame because I grew up in Indiana … if you're going to college and staying in state, Notre Dame is the place you’re going to get the best success.”
While this is a mere drop in the bucket of students’ experiences, it highlights how Notre Dame’s religious nature influences its standings, not only in its external contributions but also in the minds of potential students who are influenced by its mission. Ehrman put it poignantly:
“There’s two ways to think about how to be a Catholic University. One can be, we’re going to be the church against the world. And there are some schools that have that as their mission — it’s more Christ against culture. I think Notre Dame is very much more in the model of the church in the world. How are we the light of the world, the salt of the earth.”
One University, Many Experiences
Notre Dame may be a Catholic university, but that doesn’t speak to the broad range of faith traditions and experiences that the diverse student population brings to the table.
Junior Anastasia Tejeda described her experience as a “cradle Catholic,” born and raised in the faith. It wasn’t until she came to Notre Dame, however, that she began to deeply explore what faith meant to her on a personal level. Now, as a junior in Welsh Fam, she is heavily involved in Campus Ministry and her hall’s spiritual committee. It’s been an integral component of her Notre Dame experience, “Most of the people here desire to learn and find the truth, and I feel like that also translates into people’s faith.”
Williams has had a different experience with Catholicism at Notre Dame. Coming to college, he had attended church around the holidays and on occasion with his family throughout childhood but never ascribed to a specific doctrine. However, after attending Campus Ministry’s Feed Your Faith event in the fall of his freshman year and speaking to Assistant Director for Evangelization and Religious Education Brett Perkins, he grew interested in exploring conversion to Catholicism. This culminated in his baptism and confirmation at the Easter Vigil of the following spring: “Everybody's got a sense of Notre Dame magic. And for me, that Notre Dame magic was having my family there to be a part of mass and to see me become baptized and confirmed. And that, to me, is something I am amazed that I’ve gotten out of my Notre Dame experience.”
This is just a small glimpse into the experience of Catholic students at the university. There are also many students who don’t practice Catholicism with unique stories to share.
Fotopoulos was born and raised Greek Orthodox Christian. Although his faith beliefs don’t always align with those of the university, he has taken it as an opportunity for intellectual growth: “I would recommend for students to approach things with an open mind. There’s a way for you to maintain your own religion and your own practices, while still having room to experience the Catholic traditions, which are beautiful in their own way.” To stay connected to his Greek Orthodox roots, Fotopoulos is an active member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) and attends services at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church every weekend.
Senior Abdulraham Atassi, a Muslim student, shared his experience attending a Catholic university as well. He cites the importance of staying connected with the community of Muslims on campus and is involved in the Muslim Student Association, where they organize prayer services and other gatherings and events. While the organization has over 100 members, he notes only about 30 are actively engaged. The university provides several resources to be inclusive of those who practice other religions: “There’s a multi-faith prayer room in Jenkins Nanovic Hall, which is where we do our Friday Prayers.” Additionally, he noted that Campus Ministry has made efforts to support the organization. The dining halls have halal meat options available as well, though Atassi noted that this effort continues to be improved and students aren’t widely aware of it, which can reduce its effectiveness. Additionally, he commented that it can be challenging at times to practice Islam at a Catholic university: “Something I struggle with is balancing between requesting things that I need for my faith while ensuring I’m respectful of the Catholic nature of the university. It’s more nuanced than that, but navigating at times can be difficult.” While he hasn’t experienced explicit discrimination, he highlighted the challenge of maintaining an active faith life without the same support as someone who is Catholic.
Another unique perspective came from Senior Tyler Li, an atheist. Li didn’t grow up in any faith tradition, as his father was atheist and his mother was Buddhist, but it wasn’t discussed extensively in his household. While he’s attended Mass on occasion, his greatest exposure has come through the theology requirements on campus. He cited the challenges of the Foundations of Theology class as he didn’t have any religious background. However, he enjoyed his second theology course, Christianity and World Religions, because he had the opportunity to learn about and discuss a wide variety of religions: “Overall, I think theology is pretty core and it’s important that everyone is exposed to theology to some degree, even if you’re not going to pursue it later on.” Despite the fact that he isn’t religious, Li hasn’t had difficulty finding his own way in the Notre Dame community, as the level of religious involvement varies from person to person. At Notre Dame, students are invited to pursue their own faith journey — in whatever form that may take — which creates a unique experience for each individual.
An Evolving Catholic Identity
The university was founded over 180 years ago, and remnants of its early years can still be found on campus: Old College, built by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C. in 1843, remains standing and functional to this day. While the university has retained much of its roots, there is little doubt that the school has evolved as well. After all, who doesn’t change in the span of a lifetime or a few? It’s only been in the last 52 years that the university has been open to women, and far beyond that, from academic offerings to residence halls, much more has changed. Has the Catholic identity evolved as well?
“I do think the University is very cognizant of changing religious identities and practices in our society, and particularly among young people. Students are entering the University with different religious experiences and expectations than their parents or grandparents, and I find it very important to be aware of this as we invite students to engage in our mission,” says Rev. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C, Vice President for Student Affairs. While the university as a whole retains the same faith tradition, it has been challenged to adapt to the changing demographics of the students who attend it. While roughly 80% of the current student population identifies as Catholic, a strong majority, this doesn’t describe the wide variety of beliefs, even beneath the Catholic purview, that the student population encompasses. Ehrman noted, “I was here 35 years ago, in those 35 years there’s a lot of change socially with people who don’t affiliate or aren’t connected with a church or any kind of formal worship of God, or even belief in God. I’m pretty sure when I was a student, the [Catholic student population] was well above 90.”
The university now faces the task of adapting to a student population that may no longer fit the traditional Catholic description as strongly as it once did.
One facet that hasn’t changed, at least over the last several decades, is the theology class requirements. While it’s unclear when this requirement was first introduced, it’s been present since at least the 1980s, if not earlier. The course offerings within them have evolved, however, and many of the current offerings cater to a larger audience than those who grew up in traditional Catholic households. From Islam and Christian Theology to Meaningful Life in Business, to Christianity and Judaism, and more, these courses appeal to a wide variety of students with a slew of religious (or non-religious) backgrounds. Atassi said of the theology requirement: “I thought it was a good chance to learn about something else, challenge perceptions, and challenge my own faith.”
Notre Dame continues to seek to educate both the mind and the heart while remaining inclusive for a diverse student body. In 2024, the Catholic identity of Notre Dame looks different than it did in 1842. Olinger views this as an enriching experience: “Our students ask deep questions and, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences, often express a real openness — or at least a curiosity — when it comes to questions of faith. Notre Dame’s religious identity is a vibrant one, and I have especially appreciated seeing the variety of ways that students live out their lives of faith.”
Permeating Every Sphere of Student Life
The University of Notre Dame strives to be Catholic in more than just name. What does it mean to be a Catholic university? This is a greater call than offering Mass on Sundays and having a chapel in every residence hall. Two theology class requirements. Priests-in-residence in nearly every dorm. Crucifixes in every classroom. There is little doubt that the presence of Catholicism permeates nearly every sphere on campus, at least visually. However, this goes beyond appearance alone. Olinger notes: “Our distinct Catholic, Holy Cross identity allows us to offer something that many other institutions do not, which is an elite education that invites all students to take faith seriously and consider how it intersects with all aspects of their lives.”
Within the theology department alone, the vast swath of course options create avenues for students to connect faith traditions — whether Catholic or not — to other facets of the world. The Heart’s Desire, taught by Rev. Daniel Groody, C.S.C., invites students to examine how their identity and beliefs guide their life: “You will be expected to thoroughly and regularly examine who you are, what you believe, and what you feel called to live out as a human being.” Science, Theology, and Creation, taught by Ehrman, creates connections between faith and science and guides students seeking to understand how these worlds, often perceived to be in competition, are intricately related. Unmasking the Way: Theology of and for “The Mandalorian,” taught by Rev. Kevin Sandberg, C.S.C., even endeavors to explore pop culture through a religious view, inviting students to consider how fantastical realms in galaxies far, far away can be influenced and understood in a Catholic context.
Every week, roughly 200 masses are held on Notre Dame’s campus, encompassing both Sunday services and daily mass. Particularly in the residence halls, these celebrations often go beyond the service itself. From Dillon Hall’s Thursday night, “Milkshake Mass” to Welsh Family Hall’s “Cinnawhirl” to Lewis Hall’s “Sunday Sundaes”, the hall communities frequently come together in a sweeter communion following the conclusion of the service. Whether a student is Catholic or not, attended Mass or not, they are invited to share in this communal experience.
The Institute for Social Concerns, which provides both education and research into the field of justice — ranging from issues relating to poverty, incarceration, immigration, the environment and more — credits its mission to its Catholic roots: “We are Notre Dame’s interdisciplinary scholarly home for justice inspired by Catholic social tradition.” Drawing from these roots, the Institute seeks to positively impact communities both locally and globally. Through class offerings, summer programs and research opportunities, students are invited to take part in this mission.
Ehrman says, “Notre Dame is probably the [university] that has the strongest Catholic identity, and I see that taking place in three ways: it’s all about how do we inculcate students with a Catholic vision of the world. So the liturgical life, the academic life, and the residential life is how Holy Cross tries to impart and inform the students with this vision of reality.”
Just look up next time you’re walking to the library. The Word of Life mural, more commonly known as Touchdown Jesus, permeates even football Saturdays with the Lord. Or is it the other way around?
“If you want faith to be a part of your life, then people are part of your life, right?” Tejeda notes. Whether a student is practicing Catholic or not, there are many avenues for exposure to the beliefs, spirit and vision of the faith. Participation takes many forms, and students are invited to explore these intersections as deeply as they’d like. This identity doesn’t exist in isolation from one’s everyday life: it permeates it.