SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame is no stranger to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The university was founded by a religious order with a particular devotion to the Sacred Heart (the Congregation of Holy Cross), its on-campus basilica is named accordingly, and a former campus cobbler is currently being considered for canonization in part because of his miracle-working intercession to the Sacred Heart.
“Devotion to the Sacred Heart is in the DNA of this university,” observed Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, during his homily at a Sep. 25 on-campus Mass.
But despite this connection, the 184-year-old university had never taken part in one of the most basic forms of related piety: consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Until last week.
With university president and Holy Cross Father Bob Dowd by his side, and with hundreds of Notre Dame students joining in behind him, Bishop Rhoades led the university community in a prayer of entrustment to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Sep. 25.
“Thus, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, on this day: We consecrate the University of Notre Dame to you, and entrust every action it undertakes to your watchful and tender gaze,” prayed the
