Institute for Church Life to revive beloved Catholic tradition
A Marian procession and May crowning will take place Sunday May 1 at the University of Notre Dame. The procession will start at 1pm at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto behind the Sacred Heart Basilica and end at Geddes Hall with a crowning ceremony, blessing and reception.
“Mary is the most inculturated person in the Church because she is the mother of all people,” said John Cavadini, McGrath-Cavadini Director of the Institute for Church Life. “We are so happy to restore the gift of this beautiful tradition honoring Mary, the Mother of God, for whom this university was named.”
A statute of Mary will be blessed at the Grotto and processed through campus accompanied by prayer and song. The procession will travel to the Coleman-Morse Center and then pass by the Main Building on the way to the Geddes Hall Chapel where Mary will be crowned and enshrined. A final blessing will be offered by Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.SC. and a reception will follow on the 3rd floor of Geddes Hall.
“Events like this nourish the Catholic imagination and help renew the life of the Church,” said Cavadini. “A May Crowning and procession is a beautiful way to participate in a community of belief that makes the faith accessible to everyone, especially children, and provides an inspiring spectacle for those who want to know more.”
The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Those who are planning to attend are encouraged to register at maycrowning.nd.edu. The website also contains rare footage of a Marian procession at Notre Dame in the 1950s.
In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors to Geddes Hall Chapel. Registered participants will receive updates via email regarding the weather and other important event details.
About the Institute for Church Life
The Institute for Church Life aims to nourish the Catholic imagination and renew Church life by connecting the Catholic intellectual life at Notre Dame to the life of the Church. By integrating theological insight with pastoral practice, the Institute for Church Life offers theological formation resources and leadership development programs for clergy and lay Catholics in dioceses, parishes and schools.
For more information, visit icl.nd.edu or call 574-631-6109