5 Things You Need to Know About the 2025 Notre Dame Calendar

Notre Dame 2025 Calendar: A Timeless Tradition Continues

The Notre Dame calendar has been a cherished tradition for generations, showcasing the iconic architecture and vibrant spirit of the university. For 2025, the calendar captures the essence of Notre Dame like never before, featuring stunning photography that celebrates the beauty and history of the campus. From the majestic Golden Dome to the serene Grotto, each month offers a glimpse into the soul of this beloved institution.

Moreover, the 2025 calendar serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Notre Dame. Through its pages, we relive the triumphs and challenges that have shaped the university over the centuries. Inspiring quotes from renowned alumni and faculty members accompany the stunning visuals, offering insights into the values and aspirations that have long defined the Notre Dame experience. Whether you are an alumnus, a current student, or simply an admirer of this iconic institution, the Notre Dame 2025 Calendar is a must-have treasure that will inspire and delight throughout the year.

Notre Dame Saints and Legends

Notre Dame has a rich history and tradition, and its saints and legends are an important part of that. Many of the university’s buildings and landmarks are named after saints, and their stories are often told in the university’s chapel and other religious services.

The Four Holy Doctors of the Church

The Four Holy Doctors of the Church are Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, and Saint Gregory the Great. These four saints are considered to be the greatest theologians of the early Church, and their writings have had a profound influence on Christian thought. Saint Augustine is the patron saint of the Augustinian Order, which founded Notre Dame. Saint Ambrose is the patron saint of Milan, Italy, where Notre Dame was founded. Saint Jerome is the patron saint of translators, and his translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate, is still used by the Catholic Church today. Saint Gregory the Great is the patron saint of musicians, and his writings on music have influenced the development of Western music.

Saint	Patronage
Saint Augustine of Hippo	Augustinian Order
Saint Ambrose	Milan, Italy
Saint Jerome	Translators
Saint Gregory the Great	Musicians

In addition to the Four Holy Doctors, Notre Dame has a number of other saints and legends associated with it. These include Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland; Saint Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France; and Saint Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers. The stories of these saints are often told in the university’s chapel and other religious services, and they serve as a reminder of the university’s long and rich history.

Spiritual Celebrations and Liturgical Feasts

The Notre Dame liturgical calendar reflects the rhythms of the academic year, interweaving academic and spiritual practices to foster a holistic campus community.

Liturgical Feasts

The Catholic Church celebrates a range of liturgical feasts throughout the year, commemorating significant events in the life of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other saints. At Notre Dame, these feasts are celebrated with special liturgies, prayers, and readings, inviting the campus community to reflect on the mysteries of faith.

Here are some of the major liturgical feasts celebrated at Notre Dame:

Feast	Date
Advent	Four weeks before Christmas
Christmas	December 25
Epiphany	January 6
Ash Wednesday	Beginning of Lent
Holy Week	Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday	Celebration of Christ’s resurrection
Ascension	40 days after Easter
Pentecost	50 days after Easter
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart	Friday after Corpus Christi
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	August 15
All Saints Day	November 1
Christ the King Sunday	Last Sunday of the liturgical year

Liturgical Year: Advent and Christmas

The Liturgical Year of the Catholic Church is a cycle of seasons and feasts that commemorate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ, both at his birth and at his Second Coming. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Advent

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts for four weeks. The traditional colors of Advent are purple and rose. Purple is a color of penance, while rose is a color of joy. The first and second Sundays of Advent are purple, the third Sunday is rose, and the fourth Sunday is purple again.

Week	Theme	Color
1	Hope	Purple
2	Peace	Purple
3 (Gaudete Sunday)	Joy	Rose
4	Love	Purple

During Advent, the Church focuses on the coming of Christ and the need for us to prepare our hearts for his arrival. The readings for the Masses of Advent tell the story of the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah, and they also tell the story of the birth of Jesus. The Church also encourages us to pray and fast during Advent as a way of preparing for the coming of Christ.

Lent

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. During Lent, Christians are encouraged to give up something they enjoy, such as food, alcohol, or social media, and to focus on their relationship with God.

Holy Week

Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday. Holy Week is a time of remembrance and reflection on the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. On Palm Sunday, Christians remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. On Maundy Thursday, Christians remember the Last Supper. On Good Friday, Christians remember Jesus’ death on the cross. On Holy Saturday, Christians wait in anticipation of Jesus’ resurrection.

Easter

Easter is the most important feast day in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Easter is typically preceded by a 40-day period of fasting and penance known as Lent. On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the victory of life over death and the hope of eternal life.

Additional Notes on the 40-Day Period

The number 40 is significant in the Bible. It appears in several other contexts, including the 40 days that Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert, and the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. The 40-day period of Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, a time to reflect on our relationship with God and to make changes in our lives.

Pentecost

Pentecost is a Christian holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, and is considered to be the birthday of the Church.

The word “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for “fiftieth.” This refers to the fact that Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter.

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time is the period of the liturgical year that falls between the end of the Easter season and the beginning of Advent. It is a time of reflection and growth in faith.

Ordinary Time is divided into two parts. The first part, which begins after Pentecost, includes the following Sundays:

Sunday	Theme
Pentecost Sunday	The descent of the Holy Spirit
Trinity Sunday	The mystery of the Trinity
Corpus Christi	The Body and Blood of Christ
Sacred Heart of Jesus	The love of Jesus Christ for humanity
Immaculate Heart of Mary	The love of Mary for her Son

The second part of Ordinary Time, which begins after the feast of the Assumption of Mary, includes the following Sundays:

Sunday	Theme
Assumption of Mary	The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven
Queenship of Mary	The queenship of Mary in heaven
Christ the King	The kingship of Jesus Christ over all creation

Saintly Student Profiles

Throughout Notre Dame’s history, many students have led extraordinary lives marked by holiness and service. Here are a few inspiring stories of these exceptional individuals:

Bl. Stanley Rother (1935-1981)

Born in Oklahoma, Stanley Rother was ordained a priest in 1963 and sent to serve in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. During the Guatemalan Civil War, Rother faced threats and violence from government forces, but he remained committed to his community, providing medical care and spiritual support. He was assassinated in 1981 by government-backed paramilitaries and was beatified in 2017.

St. Theodore Guerin (1798-1856)

A native of France, Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840. She established schools, orphanages, and hospitals throughout the Midwest, providing education and healthcare to countless people. Guerin was canonized in 2006.

Ven. Patrick Peyton, CSC (1909-1992)

Known as the “Rosary Priest,” Patrick Peyton was a Holy Cross priest who founded Family Rosary Crusade in 1942. Through his television and radio broadcasts, Peyton promoted the recitation of the Rosary as a powerful tool for peace and family unity. He was named a Venerable by the Catholic Church in 2017.

Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC (1814-1893)

A Frenchman, Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842. He served as its first president and guided its growth and expansion. Sorin was a visionary leader who established schools, churches, and other institutions throughout the Midwest and beyond.

St. Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)

A wealthy heiress, Katharine Drexel renounced her inheritance and dedicated her life to serving the Native American and African American communities. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, which established schools, healthcare facilities, and other programs to empower and support these marginalized groups. Drexel was canonized in 2000.

Ven. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap. (1870-1957)

A Capuchin friar, Solanus Casey lived a life of poverty and service. He was known for his healing powers and his ability to speak to animals. Casey spent many years ministering to the poor and sick in Detroit, Michigan, and was named a Venerable by the Catholic Church in 2017.

Bl. Marie Rose Durocher (1811-1849)

A Canadian, Marie Rose Durocher established the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1843. She and her sisters provided education and healthcare to settlers and First Nations people in western Canada. Durocher died of typhus in 1849 and was beatified in 2014.

Fr. Jean-Baptiste Muard (1809-1854)

A French priest, Jean-Baptiste Muard was sent to the United States in 1839 to minister to German and Irish immigrants. He established several parishes and schools in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. Muard was a tireless advocate for immigrants and the poor, and he died of yellow fever while serving his community.

Notre Dame Community Events

Notre Dame hosts a plethora of community events that foster a vibrant campus culture and engage the broader South Bend community.

Football Games

Home football games at Notre Dame Stadium are iconic events that draw tens of thousands of passionate fans. The stadium boasts a rich history and a unique game-day atmosphere.

Arts and Cultural Events

Notre Dame offers a diverse array of arts and cultural events, including performances, exhibitions, and lectures. From the renowned DeBartolo Performing Arts Center to the Snite Museum of Art, the campus is a hub for creativity and artistic expression.

Community Outreach Programs

Notre Dame is deeply committed to serving the South Bend community through outreach programs. These include volunteer opportunities, neighborhood revitalization projects, and educational initiatives.

Speakers and Lectures

The University invites renowned speakers and scholars to campus to share their insights and ideas. These events cover a wide range of topics, from current affairs to scientific advancements.

Faith and Spirituality

As a Catholic university, Notre Dame places great emphasis on faith and spirituality. Community events include liturgical celebrations, retreats, and opportunities for spiritual growth.

Alumni Events

Notre Dame hosts numerous events for its alumni, providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and connection with the university.

Family Weekend

Each fall, the University welcomes families to campus for a weekend of activities, performances, and special events designed to connect Notre Dame students with their loved ones.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation

Notre Dame recognizes the contributions of its faculty and staff through special events, award ceremonies, and recognition programs.

Student Life Events

The University organizes a wide variety of student life events throughout the year, ranging from concerts and festivals to sporting competitions and cultural celebrations.

Event	Date
Football game vs. Michigan	September 13, 2025
Speaker: Barack Obama	October 15, 2025
Arts Week	November 7-13, 2025
Family Weekend	October 17-19, 2025

Notre Dame Calendar 2025: A Timeless Tradition

The Notre Dame calendar is a cherished tradition that has been connecting people with the university for generations. Each year, the calendar features stunning photography of the iconic campus, inspiring quotes, and a glimpse into the vibrant life of the Fighting Irish. The 2025 edition promises to be no exception, offering a captivating visual journey through the halls of Notre Dame.

From the majestic Golden Dome to the hallowed grounds of Notre Dame Stadium, the calendar showcases the university’s rich history and enduring spirit. The images capture the essence of the Notre Dame experience, from the bustling student life to the solemn moments of reflection. Each month’s theme is carefully curated to evoke the university’s values and traditions, ensuring that the calendar is not just a functional tool but also a work of art.