“This is a place where healing can occur, precisely because of the sacredness of it.”
– Professor John Cavadini
With campus in the grips of finals week, and the Church in the midst of Our Blessed Mother’s favorite month, it is the perfect time to invite you to slow down and watch our short film, “Miracle at the Grotto”.
Take 10 minutes to witness the story of Elizabeth Gonzalez ‘24, to remember the sacred identity of our beloved campus, to pause and to pray.
Now available on YouTube (bio 🔗).
The McGrath Institute for Church Life is proud to present "Mary, Icon of the Church," a contemplative short film featuring Notre Dame Theology Professor John Cavadini. This film was produced for our Sullivan Family Saints Initiative.
We've included a link to the full video in our bio. #AnnunciationDays
It takes courage to share a story as personal and sensitive as Honorata’s, but in this clip from the Gender Accompaniment Project, she explains what motivated her to get on mic and tell us about her journey.
We’re so thankful to all of the men and women who have opened up about their experiences of gender and faith for this podcast. As we cross the series’ midpoint this week, we continue to pray that these witnesses speak to your heart and inspire you to accompany those around you.
To hear Honorata’s full story of navigating gender discordance, check out Episode 6, "Medicine & Mystery," now available wherever you get your podcasts.
As the semester draws to a close and summer begins, the McGrath Institute for Church Life celebrates the many ways its faculty and staff have continued to serve the Church with insight and imagination.
In a two-episode Conversations That Matter series, the Life and Human Dignity team invited experts to discuss a range of philosophical, medical, ethical, and theological issues associated with assisted-suicide and explore the ways Catholics and all people of good will can recover a vision of what it means to live and die well.
On the vigil of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, the Notre Dame community gathered to pray and spend time in devotion to Mary throughout the Basilica, followed by a candlelight procession to the Grotto. These events were made possible through the Sullivan Family Saints Initiative.
John Cavadini presented "Miracles: What Are They, and Do They Still Happen?" to undergraduates as part of the Take a Second Look program.
Professor Brad Wilcox of the University of Virginia delivered a lecture examining the decline in dating, marriage, and childbearing among young adults. Drawing on social science research that identifies strong marriages as a key predictor of happiness, Wilcox explored the cultural forces behind these trends and offered insight into how young adults can pursue lasting love and meaningful relationships.
Join high school students from across the country and around the world for Notre Dame Vision, July 6–10, a five-day summer conference that invites young people to grow in faith, friendship, and purpose. Registration closes May 31.
We recently finished production on a new film for our Take a Second Look initiative. It highlights the powerful witness of a few of the many University of @NotreDame students who have been revisiting — and rekindling — their Catholic faith.
At the McGrath Institute, we’re passionate about forming the Church’s next generation of faithful Catholic leaders, and we couldn’t be more encouraged by our time spent in conversation with students on fire with Christlike love.
Please join us in prayer for an increase of faith, hope, and charity — on campus and beyond!
In the Blessed Virgin Mary, we learn that a mother’s love is never small, and it reflects something of God’s own love for us. In her fiat and motherhood, she showed us a love filled with joy, uncertainty, and even sorrow. Yet through it all, she remained faithful and served the Lord.
A Church Life Journal article by John Cavadini reflects more on this: “Invoking Mary as ‘Mother of Mercy’ invokes the depth of God’s mercy, not because Mary is divine, but because in her absolutely and fully human motherly love, a real mother’s love, we have known the depths of God’s solidarity with us."
Today, we give thanks for all mothers, and we ask Mother Mary to guide us in loving as she did with humility and unwavering hope. Read more at the link in bio.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, join the McGrath Institute for Church Life's Fiat Program for Faith and Mental Health to deepen understanding of compassion, with special consideration of how we can accompany those affected by mental illness.
Learn more and register at the link in our bio.
A few of my favorite BTS photos from yesterday’s set at the inimitable St. Peter’s Pub (@st._peters_pub ).
We just wrapped production on a film following a few of the many @NotreDame students who have been revisiting — and rekindling — their Catholic faith.
I got chills hearing their stories of hope. Can’t wait to share this one with you later this summer. Watch the @McGrathND page for the latest updates.
Huge thanks to Bob Kloska for the gift of hospitality!
#SacredND | #McGrathND
“My name is Sean and I've been loved into existence and I wish more than anything to spend eternity with you.”
In Episode 5 of the Gender Accompaniment Project, we hear Sean’s story of transition and detransition, and how, through it all, he has come to see himself in light of God’s loving gaze.
Episode 5, "Seen & Loved", is now live wherever you get your podcasts.
Inspired by church life on campus, two of our new Notre Dame student interns journeyed to several dorm masses this semester to reflect on their experiences in these sacred spaces. ☘️🙏
“Our names are Lilly Post and Olivia Klusas. We are sophomores at Notre Dame and interns for the McGrath Institute for Church life. This semester we were inspired by all the different aspects of church life here at Notre Dame. Each dorm’s, school’s, and department’s traditions of expressing admiration for Christ speaks to the diversity and sincerity of the Notre Dame community. There’s a constant invitation to engage in conversation with Christ, which is at the heart of residential life.
In an effort to bring even the smallest aspects of church life on campus to light, we were inspired to start a dorm mass series, which will invite people to see the elements of church life at Notre Dame that often stay within each dorm’s chapels. It is in these quiet, intimate moments that the two of us feel the eternal love of God and the sustaining community of the University of Notre Dame. We hope this series brings a little bit of that spirit to all of you.
We’re starting this series with Pasquerilla West’s 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night “Muffin Mass” where the dorm gathered for carrot cake muffins in the spirit of the octave of Easter. Every week, the dorm celebrates Mass at the same time, followed by homemade and shared muffins.
Fr. Greg Haake celebrates Mass in Pasquerilla West each Tuesday. His presentation of the Eucharist and homily aligned with the intentional and warm community in Pasquerilla West, alleviating the moment of anxiety when we find ourselves in search of Christ. He called on attendees to be present in seeking Christ, especially in the height of the celebration of Easter.
Something we found unique about the experience is how Mass was willingly and joyfully offered. Such a willingness to celebrate Mass demonstrates exactly how present we believe Christ is through the sacrament of the Eucharist. We hope that this series shows that the seeking to engage intentionally with Christ is seen throughout the entirety of campus.”
#McGrathND | #SacredND
