Opening Mass launches new academic year | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Liquid error: internal Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Opening Mass launches new academic year Opening Mass launches new academic year Published: August 25, 2010 Author: Liquid error: internal University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., urged the Notre Dame community to take time for reflection Tuesday as he ushered in a new academic year during his annual Opening Mass homily. Father Jenkins recommended the life of Blessed Brother Andre Bessette, C.S.C., of Montreal to inspire that reflection, and the ND Forum discussion on “The Global Marketplace and the Common Good” as a point of focus. Blessed Brother Andre will be canonized in October, the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross to become a saint. “In many ways, this life of a simple man is so different from our lives at Notre Dame,” Father Jenkins said. "Among his assignments, he stood watch at the door of the C.S.C. community house, making many friends as he prayed for and counseled those who were ill. Miraculous healings resulted; Blessed Brother Andre also is credited with building a shrine to St. Joseph that today remains a place of pilgrimage in Montreal. “Engaged in our work, executing our plans, striving for our goals, we can forget to do what Andre always remembered to do: find time for prayerful, quiet reflection, and watch the door.” The pressing human and moral questions that the global marketplace raises present an opportunity to reflect on our individual roles in the greater world, Father Jenkins said. “The globalization of that market has brought prosperity to people who had simply struggled to survive. And it has disrupted the lives of millions as they’ve been forced from traditional occupations to try to find new work. “What should our response be?” Father Jenkins asked. “What is the intelligent, compassionate and just response to which we are called?” Pope Benedict frames the challenge in the encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), stating: “The risk of our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by ethical interaction of consciences and minds that would give rise to truly human development.” The encyclical will serve as a guide for ND Forum discussions throughout the year. Closing the Mass with his own remarks, Provost Tom Burish asked first-year students to “help the people here keep alive the tradition of the Notre Dame family. You’ll carry on a way of life that makes Notre Dame Notre Dame.” And what does “the Notre Dame Family” mean? “The answer is simple,” Burish said. “It means that people connected to Notre Dame expect they will be treated by others as they would want to be treated by a family member, not by an acquaintance, not by a friend. It’s a place where people have a deeper sense of responsibility to one another.” Posted In: Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 15, 2022 In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church September 15, 2022 Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn