Senior Day Reflections

As Senior Day approaches for the Fighting Irish, all of us at Irish Creed are finding it hard to focus on game predictions, football analysis, or other usual matters that now seem so trivial when considering the big picture.  The recent tragedy on our campus has left many of us stunned, forcing us to take a step back and refocus.  As tough it is to put our feelings into words in wake of the shockingly traumatic events that cut our brother’s life short, it is almost equally difficult to describe the uplifting and inspiring ways in which so many of our family members have responded.

The Basillica overflows with thousands of Loyal Sons and Daughters

At a place where such a tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity is almost expected, the spirit shared by so many of our students truly hit home at such places as the Grotto, the Basillica of the Sacred Heart, and across campus on the night of the memorial Mass held in Declan’s honor.  Amy Holsinger, a junior at Notre Dame, described that night much more eloquently than we ever could in a post on her blog titled “Declan.”

All of the prayers, emotions, love, and support produced in response to such an awful tragedy stand as proof that the spirit of Our Lady’s University is alive and well, and it lives on through her students.  So many of us have witnessed that spirit in countless ways, from a silent trip to the Grotto, to a song-filled mass shared with dorm-mates, to a slow morning walk around the mist-covered lakes, to the most visible forms across our crowded campus and inside sacred Notre Dame Stadium on a game day.  Here’s to hoping we can all continue to share that spirit with each other and all those who are blessed with the opportunity to be comes witnesses themselves.  As you walk on our campus this weekend, and as you step inside the hallowed halls of Notre Dame Stadium on Senior Day, pause for a moment and recognize the spirit as it fills the air around you.  For all of our seniors, live in the moments shared with friends during your last game day as a student.  It will stay with you for the rest of your lives.

For Declan, for the Class of 2011, and for our entire Notre Dame family, we pray in the name of Our Lady that we may continue to live in God’s grace through the powerful spirit we all share. 

Notre Dame Our Mother,

Tender, strong, and true,

Proudly in the heavens,

Gleams thy Gold and Blue,

Glory's mantle cloaks Thee,

Golden is Thy fame,

And our hearts forever,

Praise Thee Notre Dame,

And our hearts forever,

Love Thee Notre Dame.