Forty Hours Devotion at Morrissey Manor, Notre Dame

I was recently sent some heartening photos from my old alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, of the decorations for a Forty Hours devotion held at one of the university's larger men's dorms, the ornate yellow-brick Gothic edifice called Morrissey Manor. (There are at least three dorms without "Hall" in their names at Notre Dame, the aforementioned Morrissey, the recently-renamed Zahm House, and Sorin College, which jokingly seceded from the rest of the University sometime in the sixties). This is an annual custom of the dorm, no less!

This is an important instance of the growing revival of Catholic piety in student life at the University. Note especially this devotion was held in addition to, and independent of, the usual, well-attended Campus Ministry-sponsored events such as the yearly Eucharistic Procession (now in its fourth year after a three-decades-long hiatus) and daily Eucharistic adoration during the week. It is especially pleasing to see a men's dorm sponsoring this activity, given the model of manly fortitude that the Eucharistic Christ presents to us.

It is also to be noted that while the ornaments of the sanctuary are fairly simple (Morrisey Chapel has suffered in the past), great pains were taken to do it well with the resources they had.

A reader explains further:

This weekend, the men of Morrisey Manor, a residence hall on campus, hosted a 40 Hours Devotion. An annual tradition for the dorm, the celebration began with a well-attended Solemn Mass (OF) this past Friday afternoon. The devotion will conclude with Benediction on Sunday morning.

It should be noted that Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is available each weekday on campus throughout the entire school year. This special event, instigated by devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, specifically by men in this particular dormitory, gives witness to the vibrant and robust faith on campus. Keeping in mind the availability of the usus antiquor each Sunday on campus, Notre Dame continues to show signs of a growing orthodox and traditional student body.

Such heartening and vibrant signs of renewal continue to show us this is not your father's Notre Dame.