Faith at Notre Dame

At Notre Dame, faith serves as a bridge—to understanding, connection and hope.

A close-up of the top of the University of Notre Dame's Golden Dome, featuring a dark cross with Celtic knot details above the letters 'N.D.'

Podcast

Breathe with both lungs

Notre Dame's theology chair demonstrates Catholic character in a global context

A priest in a rich purple vestment stands before an altar with lit candles, reciting prayers with his hands raised near stained-glass windows.

Video

Faith in the Cold

Mass in a Snow Chapel at Notre Dame

Hundreds of people, many holding candles, gather on a snowy winter night around a brightly illuminated white snow chapel with spires. Notre Dame dormitories glow in the background.
  • A man in a dark pinstripe suit and gold bow tie stands before the U.S. Supreme Court building. He wears glasses and looks upward.

    Podcast

    Faith and freedom: Dean Marcus Cole on religious liberty

    20 minutes

    G. Marcus Cole, Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School, shares why protecting religious freedom—especially for minority and land-based faiths—is essential to safeguarding all human rights. Learn how Notre Dame is fighting for religious freedom in all its forms—and how future lawyers are learning to do the same.

  • Two priests in black suits and clerical collars clasp their hands and smile as they speak with Pope Francis, who is seen from behind wearing his white zucchetto and cassock.

    Article

    Pope Francis’s lasting impact on Notre Dame

    In February 2024, Pope Francis met with the University of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees at the Vatican for the final time.

  • Golden cross on top of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart spire against a clear blue sky, partially framed by vibrant orange and red autumn leaves in the foreground.

    News

    ND experts offer insight on ‘Dilexi Te’

    On Thursday (Oct. 9), Pope Leo XIV issued his first major document, “Dilexi Te” (“I Have Loved You”), addressed to all Christians and divided into five chapters. Below, experts from the University of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters, Keough School of Global Affairs, Institute for Social Concerns and...

Video

Uncovering the Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls

A Notre Dame theology professor explores the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
A close-up, shallow depth-of-field shot of an ancient parchment of the dead sea scrolls covered in dense lines of dark, handwritten text.

Article

A deeper river

Father Dan Groody's woodworking is a metaphor for spirituality in both his day-to-day work and his pastime.

A close up of hands on a piece of wood with really defined wood grain.

The Laetare Medal

Established at Notre Dame in 1883, the Laetare Medal was conceived as an American counterpart of the Golden Rose, a papal honor that is at least 1,000 years old. The medal has been awarded annually at Notre Dame to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.”

The Laetare Medal

  1. Statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus, two lit candles, surrounded by worn black and brown shoes and scattered red tokens on wood.

    Article

    A saint of our own?

    The humble piety of Notre Dame cobbler Brother Columba inspires a canonization push.

  9. University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., in black clerical attire, broadly smiles while shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV, a smiling man in white papal robes and a white zucchetto.

    News

    Pope Leo XIV receives Notre Dame leadership in private audience

    University of Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. — accompanied by John Veihmeyer, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Beth; Rev. Austin I. Collins, C.S.C., vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs; and Ann M. Firth, vice president and chief of staff — was...

  11. A silhouette of a women in front of a window holding a violin

    Video

    Coda | Chants for the end of life

    Students from the Sacred Music Program and the Notre Dame Basilica Schola, under the direction of Jonathan Hehn, came together to record the chants from the book “Music in Medieval Rituals for the End of Life,” written by musicologist Elaine Stratton Hild.

  12. A female with dark hair gazes at the Angels Unawares sculpture, a bronze sculpture of migrants and refugees from various lands crowded on a 20-foot boat at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

    Article

    A place in history

    Spanish immersion teachers travel to DC for a firsthand look into American history and government.

  14. Black Man in pinstripe suit and gold bow tie against a blue background.

    Article

    Fighting for religious liberty

    Notre Dame Law School stands ready to advocate and defend religious freedom for all people.

  15. Four smiling graduates wearing black graduation gowns and colorful stoles pose for a photo. They wear mortarboards with white tassels.

    Article

    A leap of faith

    How two Christian and two Muslim young women went from Nigeria to Notre Dame, overcoming tragedy and trauma to show the world-changing power of knowledge.

  16. A close up view of Mary's face on the statue on top of the Golden Dome.

    Article

    A woman clothed with the sun

    Looking up at the newly regilded statue of Mary atop the Main Building, gleaming gold in the afternoon light, it is not difficult to imagine her as the woman who appears in Revelation, “clothed with the sun” itself.

  17. A graphic for the Notre Dame Global Day of Service. The logo, which features a globe with a shamrock and the statue of Mary from the Golden Dome, is prominently displayed to the left of the text. The background is a semi-transparent black and white photo of a person using a large leaf rake in a yard with a wooden fence.

    Article

    2023 Notre Dame Global Day of Service

    A day designated for Notre Dame students, alumni, parents and friends around the world to serve in their communities.

  18. A richly carved wooden altar displays a golden monstrance with spiky rays, surrounded by numerous lit taper candles and two large pillar candles.

    Photo essay

    Sacred places

    Every residence hall on campus has its own chapel.

  19. A large, vintage-style globe is shown, with a close-up of the continents of North and South America.

    Article

    Origin story

    The Peace Corps began in part on the campus of Notre Dame.

  20. A blue sign with a green shamrock and white text reading ‘St Joe Farm Est. 1852’ is mounted on a stone wall.

    Article

    Before the sunrise

    Farm that fed Notre Dame for 125 years now provides power.

  21. An ornate gilded altar inside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame is surrounded by arches and murals on the ceiling.

    Article

    “Live with hope”

    Notre Dame, Boston College presidents offer vision for Church revitalization

  22. A religious mural depicts Jesus Christ holding a red book while an angel holds a banner above him and two priests look up from below.

    Article

    A meeting — and healing — of worlds

    Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits Notre Dame

  23. Several old Liebig trade cards featuring colorful religious and mythical illustrations are arranged on a gray background.

    Article

    Sommo poeta

    Dante at Notre Dame

  24. An old stone chapel with a cross on the roof stands on a green hill overlooking the blue ocean with small islands.

    Article

    Resurrecting Irish monks

    Notre Dame archaeologists trace the history of island Catholicism

  25. An illustrated cross on the top of a building against a cloudy grey sky.

    Article

    A test of faith

    Iraqi priest publishes story of his abduction

  26. A woman sits at a desk with a laptop, looking through an archival document in a folder.

    Article

    Coda

    Medieval music at the end of life

  27. A smiling man wearing dark blue academic regalia with gold accents and distinctive red-rimmed glasses walks past clapping attendees at a commencement ceremony.

    Video

    Arturo Sandoval Records Christmas Album at Notre Dame

    Sandoval headlines Notre Dame's festive Christmas in September event featuring the Notre Dame Children's Choir, Notre Dame Symphonic Winds, and the Notre Dame Jazz Ensemble.

  28. A collage of black and white images featuring New York City landmarks, people on horses, a smiling man, and the Golden Dome.

    Article

    Epic connection

    Family, religious and immigrant history bind subway alumni to Notre Dame

  29. Sunlight shines behind a brick and concrete bell tower with two bells hanging beneath a cross.

    Article

    A new movement for sacred music

    Graduates bring enthusiasm and expertise to community worship.

  30. A smiling woman looks down at a laughing toddler with messy hair, who is sitting on a colorful foam mat.

    Article

    Small acts of great love

    Caring for the abandoned children of China

  31. A man holds up a document with handwritten cursive text, partially obscuring his face.

    Article

    Found in translation

    In 50 years of overlooked letters, French class discovers new insights into Father Sorin and the early days of Notre Dame

  33. The Golden Dome of the Main Building on the Notre Dame campus, framed by blooming white flowers.

    Article

    Notre Dame scholar of Dead Sea Scrolls elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

    One of the nation’s oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers

Discover and engage
  1. Broadly smiling woman with dark hair in a navy jacket with gold buttons, arms crossed, in front of bookshelves.

    Podcast

    What happened to the traditional American family?

    The American family has changed dramatically over the past four decades, raising urgent questions about marriage, economic stability, and child well-being.

  2. Statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus, two lit candles, surrounded by worn black and brown shoes and scattered red tokens on wood.

    Article

    A saint of our own?

    The humble piety of Notre Dame cobbler Brother Columba inspires a canonization push.

  3. Golden Dome and Basilica of the Sacred Heart silhouetted against a red and orange sunset, reflected in a Notre Dame lake.

    Photo Essay

    A model March

    Semester in full swing, snow, sun, fun, madness, and mulch.

  4. Congregation and clergy gather at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with a purple banner and white-draped coffin.

    Photo Essay

    Remembrance and appreciation

    Lou Holtz, 1937–2026

  5. Smiling man with gray hair wearing a navy blazer, light blue dress shirt, and blue striped tie with orange accents, seated in a conference room with artwork and a monitor visible in the blurred background.

    Article

    A dignity movement

    2026 Laetare Medalist Timothy Shriver

  6. Smiling older man with short gray hair wearing a gray blazer and light blue shirt, set against a deep blue background overlaid with colorful financial candlestick chart graphics in teal, pink, and red.

    Podcast

    How do you measure success?

    Mendoza professor Joe Holt joins Jenna Liberto to talk purpose-driven goals, meaningful work, and redefining success.

  7. Students and three priests in white vestments gather for a night mass around a lit snow chapel and altar, snow-covered Sorin Hall in background.

    Photo Essay

    Between winter and spring

    The month in photos, February 2026

  8. Side-by-side black and white portraits. On the left, a man with wavy hair and a patterned blazer is shown in a grainy halftone style. On the right, Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., in a clerical collar, looks thoughtfully to the left.

    Article

    The press vs. the power

    Observer founder Robert Sam Anson had a contentious yet strong relationship with ND President Father Hesburgh.

  9. A woman with short dark hair smiles slightly while looking off-camera. She wears a brown, fleece-lined winter jacket. In the background, snow rests on dried plants in front of a tan brick wall.

    Podcast

    Cold plunges and unicorns

    Anthropologist Cara Ocobock reveals what extreme cold reveals about our bodies and human resilience, and why hunting a “unicorn” is harder than it looks.