Today, for the first time ever, the University of Notre Dame was consecrated to Sacred Heart of Jesus.
After celebrating Mass in an overflowing Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Bishop Kevin Rhoades led students, Holy Cross priests, faculty and members of the wider community in a Eucharistic procession around campus. Then, on “God Quad”, before a statue of the Sacred Heart that looks up to the Blessed Mother on the Golden Dome, Bishop Rhoades led the group in the act of consecration, with Notre Dame president Fr. Bob Dowd by his side.
Despite the Congregation of the Holy Cross and Notre Dame’s historic connection to the Sacred Heart, the university has never before been consecrated. And it likely wouldn’t have been today, without the initiative of students, who were inspired by the US bishops’ consecration of the nation, and approached ND administrators to do something similar on campus.
As Bishop Rhoades put it, “Devotion to the Sacred Heart is in the DNA of Notre Dame.”
And now, Our Lady’s university is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of her Son.
I locked the classroom door and turned to twenty five high school seniors, the Class of 2026. They were supposed to be the digital generation, confident and plugged in. Instead, staring back at me under the glow of hidden phones, they just looked tired.
I asked them to turn their phones off. Not silent. Off.
On my desk sat an old olive green military rucksack that belonged to my father. For weeks they ignored it, assuming it was just junk. They didn’t know it was the heaviest thing in the building.
I dragged it to the center of the room. Thud.
I told them we weren’t doing the Constitution that day. I handed out blank index cards with three rules. No names. Total honesty. Write down the heaviest thing you are carrying.
At first, no one moved. Then Sarah, straight A student, perfect everything, started writing. Then Marcus, the football captain, hunched over his card and wrote just three words.
One by one, they folded their cards and dropped them into the bag.
I zipped it shut and told them this bag was who they really were. Then I began to read.
A father pretending to go to work after losing his job. A student carrying Narcan for their mom. A kid mapping exits everywhere. A teen trapped between parents screaming about politics. A girl with thousands of followers crying alone at night.
Then the last card.
I don’t want to be here anymore. I’m just waiting for a sign to stay.
Marcus was crying openly. Sarah was holding the hand of a boy who usually sat alone. The cliques were gone. They were just kids carrying too much.
I told them the bag would stay in the room so they wouldn’t have to carry it alone anymore.
When the bell rang, no one rushed out. Every student stopped and touched the rucksack on the way out. I see you.
That night, a parent emailed me. Their son hugged them for the first time in years and asked for help.
Everyone you pass is carrying something you can’t see. Be kind. Be curious. Ask the people you love what they’re carrying. You might save a life.
This is where a lot of you've got it twisted.
There is no Constitutional Right in the United States to protest, that's right. You heard me. There is no Constitutional, right that protects you to protest. What does exist is the right to peacefully assemble. That's it. No riots, no chaos, no burning shit down, no intimidation, no blocking roads, no screaming obscenities.
Peacefully assemble. You have the right to stand there. You have right to hold a sign. You have the right to assemble peacefully.
Quietly lawfully without trampling every one else's rights.
The moment it becomes loud, destructive, coercive or threaten, it stops being protected and it becomes lawlessness. I'm glad we could clear that up!
HS Sports = Complete
🙂 Bittersweet 🥲
Blessed all of my kids were able to participate and compete for 4 years.
🏃♂️➡️🏀🏃♀️⚾️🏃➡️
Even when it was difficult, sad, & painful; I've enjoyed their Journey❣️
On to new adventures and challenges. ❤️
Not the outcome she wanted for the game, but this turn around put her in the 1000 pt club! Junior season over, on to the next. So proud of how you play the game @FarnhamAlivia 🏀 ❤️ @vjhAlways100@Edgertongbball
@christianelden https://t.co/9kMtiqJGsu
In the 1880s, Walter Camp came up with “line to gain.” It took the technology of a fictious yellow line to bring that term into the public’s eye. And now, we are just learning to use the phrase Camp invented.
Making an impact on the field + in the community. ⭐️
We're proud to name @Kyrenwilliams23 as our @Nationwide Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
🔁 REPOST TO VOTE | #WPMOYChallenge
@leetaft Great explanation! I love your use of the word "sacrifice". As a family we all commit to whatever our kids are involved in. It is a 4 year commitment. Honestly, this lesson was learned by my 2 sons when they became basketball managers as 6 and 7 year olds. ZERO regrets in my home
Please read all thread- fairly long…
just posted on parents taking their children on vacation in middle of HS varsity team season. Pretty HOT topic. Absolutely love the passion/varying perspectives on this. I never get offended or disappointed when people have other opinions…