Our campus is a picturesque place, constantly rated one of
the most beautiful campuses in the country. What many don’t realize is that behind the
striking old buildings and stunning landscaping is a rich history. As
our university’s history is tied very closely to that of the Holy Cross priests
who founded it, we can learn a great deal by taking the time to listen and
reflect on their stories.
The Log Chapel
When Father Sorin reached the land he declared as our
campus, he created a log cabin chapel to serve all the needs of the new
students of the university. The cabin was their chapel, but also their
classroom, dining hall, and dormitory. All of the sprawling resources we find
across campus were stuffed into their tiny cabin. After classes, students would
drag the lake for clay and would make bricks to begin building the actual
buildings for their university. Imagine finishing all your academic work and
then spending several more hours making bricks!
Lesson Learned: Simplicity. We have so much on campus, from
our gigantic stadium to our state of the art science labs. When we think back
to this university’s origins, they weren’t ones of excess, but ones of simple
beginnings and lots and lots of hard work.
Father Corby’s Statue
Notre Dame was a significant spot during the Civil War.
South Bend was one of the very last stops on the Underground Railroad as it was
so close to Michigan. Many nearby homes housed runaway slaves. During the Civil
War, Father Corby felt very strongly about the North winning. He took a group
of students to fight in the Battle of Gettysburg. After the battle was
finished, he forgave everyone for the atrocities committed on the battlefield.
Lesson Learned: Forgiveness. It would not have been easy for
a priest to watch devastating and horrific battle even if it was for a cause he
believed in. In offering forgiveness to those young men, he was truly living
out his vocation.
The Main Building
The most notable building on our campus is not without
hardship. In April 23, 1879, the building burnt down. It was a devastating fire
that also destroyed the music building and infirmary. However, Father Sorin did
not give up after this disaster. He delivered one of the most famous speeches in
Notre Dame history. He declared that we would be even bigger and even better
than before.
Lesson Learned: Perseverance. Throughout our faith lives we
will hit roadblocks and difficult moments. There will be disasters and we will
feel like our whole lives are “in flames.” Yet, we are called to rebuild bigger
and better.
Take a break from midterms this week to reflect on not just
the beauty of the places on campus, but on the rich stories behind them. This
month is the bicentennial tribute to Father Sorin, so there are many
opportunities to reflect on the beginnings of our university and his role in
it.
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