SATURDAY, MAY 16th 9:30 p.m.: Adoration Begins In On-Campus Chapel Location: Alumni Hall Chapel Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place throughout the night in an on-campus chapel. Students, parents, alumni, church groups, Catholic clubs, and pro-life organizations will be asked to sponsor an hour of prayer during this all-night vigil. Bishop D’Arcy has confirmed that he will be in attendance at the beginning of this vigil. If you or your group would like to sponsor an hour, please sign up online or email adore@nd.edu with your name, contact information, and preferred times. We will respond with a confirmation prior to the rally.
SUNDAY, MAY 17th 10:45 a.m.: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Location: Alumni Hall Chapel Those arriving on campus the morning of May 17th are encouraged to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament praying for the senior class, for the University of Notre Dame, and for a greater respect for life around the world. Eucharistic Adoration will come to an end with Benediction led by a Holy Cross priest.
11:15 a.m. : Sunday Mass Location: South Quad (near the Rockne Memorial) An outdoor Mass will be celebrated on-campus for all those who have traveled to Notre Dame for this weekend to stand alongside the University’s students. All priests, Bishops, and Cardinals who travel to Notre Dame for this weekend are invited to concelebrate this Mass. (If you are interested in concelebrating this Mass, please email NDResponse@gmail.com).
12:30 p.m.: Rally On The Quad Location: South Quad (near the Rockne Memorial) Following Sunday Mass, a rally affirming the uniquely Catholic and pro-life foundation of Notre Dame will take place on South Quad. This rally will feature speakers with strong connections to the University who embrace Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and hold it to a higher standard of conduct that demands defending the fundamental human right to life.
Speakers confirmed to address those gathered on South Quad include:
Rev. John J. Raphael, SSJ; ND ’89, Principal of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, LA. Elizabeth Naquin Borger; ND ’78, Former Chairman of the Board of the Women’s Care Center. Dr. David Solomon; Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Notre Dame; W.P. and H.B. White Director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture; Chair of the steering committee for the Notre Dame Fund to Protect Human Life. Rev. Wilson Miscamble, CSC; ND ’77 (M.A.), ’80 (Ph.D.), ’87 (M.Div.), Professor of History at University of Notre Dame. Lacy Dodd, ND ’99; Room at the Inn, Board of Directors, Charlotte, NC. Chris Godfrey, ND Law ’93; Life Athletes (Founder and President), starting offensive guard for Super Bowl XXI Champion New York Giants. 2:00 p.m.: Class Of 2009 Vigil For Life Location: Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes At the conclusion of the Rally, those supporters in attendance will be urged to join seniors who have decided not to attend graduation at a prayer vigil on campus. Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, will be leading a Scriptural Rosary during this prayer vigil.
3:45 pm : Final Blessing And Departure of Travelers 6:00 p.m.: Post-Commencement Honor Ceremony and Party Location: State Theatre in downtown South Bend NDaffirmLife.org will host a post-commencement party at the State Theatre in downtown South Bend from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., to recognize the courageous students who stood for life and give them a send-off of support as they enter a new phase of their lives. Everyone is welcome to attend this family-friendly gathering.
Unable to be Here? Join us in Spirit. Those groups and individuals unable to travel to Notre Dame are encouraged to join us in spirit by conducting a prayerful vigil or rally at home. This can mirror our rally schedule as much as desired: 9:30pm Saturday - 10:45am Sunday: Eucharistic Adoration 10:45am Sunday: Benediction 11:15am Sunday: Mass 12:30pm Sunday: Spiritual or educational readings (such as William McGurn's talk, "A Notre Dame Witness for Life") 2:00pm Sunday: Rosary for the ND Response Rosary Campaign intentions 3:45pm Sunday: Closing prayer America's Prayer Campaign and the ND Response Million Rosaries Campaign would like to hear of your prayers on and leading up to commencement weekend. Our non-Catholic brothers and sisters are warmly encouraged to join us in prayer according to their own traditions.
Additional Details Directions: Directions to the University of Notre Dame and campus map
Accommodations: ND Response is unfortunately unable to provide lodging, but we encourage you to consider one of the many inns and hotels in the South Bend area. If you would like more information about lodging in South Bend, please email NDResponse@gmail.com.
They won’t all walk out. A majority of the students (for whom the teachings of the Church obviously mean little) support Obama.
I bet a lot of those youth think he is coolio
Wow, a new concept, show up to walk out.
If this happens, and it would be too cool if it does, I’d be very impressed.
Just stand up and turn back to him. Won’t miss the rest of the ceremony...
Dream on... He’ll get a standing O.....
If they all walked out, this non-Catholic would find a way to donate some $$ to their cause.
My heart would be warmed. To the max.
The parents might walk out, the majority of the students will think he’s the best thing that ever happened to them.
Moseley, I’m hoping as soon as the s.o.b. starts talking about half the folks there get up and turn their backs and walk out.
Love to see a few protesters get sacked by the secret service.
Love to see the heavens part and a lightning bolt strike the community organizer and knock sense into to his sorry rear end.
Course he’ll get a standing ovation and Notre Dame and Catholics should hang their heads in shame.
He’s such a uniter.
Obama will hire an ethnically diverse group of stand ins to take their places