Here Come the Irish (cont'd)

map and a “Things to do on Campus” -  weekend schedule of events, he stepped out toward the Dome.

Sitting high atop the Main Building is the Golden Dome, crowned by a statue of Mary.  It is the focal point, centerpiece and signature landmark of the campus, as well as a backdrop for pre-game activities and the identifying symbol for the University, itself.  The Dome was re-gilded this summer.  The most recent previous re-gilding occurred in 1988 - the year of Notre Dame's last National Championship.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart sits beside the Main Building. Construction on the church began in 1870, and took 22 years to complete.  One of only 40 churches in the U.S to achieve such status, Sacred Heart was designated as a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1992.  Its cross stands as the tallest structure on campus, rising five feet above the statue of Mary on the Dome.

At the east entrance to Sacred Heart, Cap found a memorial to Notre Dame veterans, and carved above the door, in stone, "God, Country, Notre Dame.”  The small sign at the main door of the Basilica reminds visitors that they are entering a place of worship, and that reverence is expected.

As Cap entered, an organist was playing above, in the rear balcony. He moved quietly, studying the stained glass windows, the paintings of Gregori (the Stations of the Cross and the Life of Mary), the altar, and the exquisite ornamentation throughout, then exited the Basilica and headed down the hill toward the Grotto and the lakes, passing the statue of Father William Corby, in front of Corby Hall.

Corby, a former Notre Dame President, was a Chaplain in the Union Army during the Civil War, and administered absolution to the troops before the Battle of Gettysburg.  Corby stands with his right hand raised, and the students have naturally dubbed him "Fair Catch Corby."

At the bottom of the hill, Cap found the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a place for pause, prayer and private reflection. The stone “Cave of Candles,” has constant visitors, at all hours.  The Grotto, built in 1896, is a one-seventh scale replica of the famous shrine located in Lourdes, France which is the subject of the movie "The Song of Bernadette,” starring Jennifer Jones.

Cap read a copy of a letter, carved in copper and encased in glass, from Dr. Tom Dooley, a humanitarian, the “jungle doctor of the Laos,” addressed to the Notre Dame President.  Dooley, a ND alumnus, was a patient, afflicted with cancer, in a hospital in Southeast Asia, when he wrote the letter.  He found comfort and hope in his memories of the Grotto from his days as a student.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays of home football weekends, the Grotto is a tourist attraction to many of its visitors, who talk loudly and excitedly about it – they’re here to “see” it.  But today, Thursday, the Grotto is the Grotto.  Students, faculty and visitors come and go, reverently lighting candles, kneeling to pray, reflecting, contemplating, moving on.

Cap lit a candle for one departed, offered a prayer and sat on a bench under the towering elms, watching the candles flicker silently, and his worldly cares began to melt away.

Renewed, he left the Grotto and headed toward the lakes, across Holy Cross Drive - 

The path around St. Mary's Lake

St. Mary’s Lake to his left, St. Joseph’s Lake to his right.  He chose the trail around St. Mary’s.  With no schedule to meet, he took time to sit on a hill under the autumn branches, watching the ducks and geese, and continued to unwind.  He took the trail on past the Fatima Retreat House and Shrine, Carroll Hall, and back across Holy Cross Drive, to the Log Chapel.  Built in 1832 overlooking St. Mary’s, the original missionary church, known as the “Indian Chapel,” is still used for select ceremonies and events.

Cap passed the Lyons Arch and entered Rockne Memorial Gym. “The Rock” houses athletic facilities for use by students and faculty, only.  In the lobby stands a bust of the beloved Knute Rockne, and showcases displaying old game balls, photos and trophies commemorating Rockne’s career.

Log Chapel

35 Notre Dame players are in the College Football Hall of Fame, along with five Irish coaches: Jesse Harper, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine…and Knute Rockne.

Beano Cook calls Knute Rockne “the greatest coach of the 20th century.”  It’s easy to see why.  Rockne holds the highest lifetime winning percentage ever at .881, (105-12-5), with five undefeated, untied seasons, and three National Championships. He sought out the toughest competition available, and took his teams nationwide, establishing intersectional play.

His innovative coaching ideas revolutionized the game, popularizing the forward pass, and with methods such as the “Rockne shift,” he forced changes in rules and in style of play.

Rockne was progressive, energetic, versatile and creative.  His teams were dominant on the field of competition, and he was tireless in his efforts to defend, promote and advance the game, both at Notre Dame, and nationally.  Following the undefeated, National Championship season of 1930, Knute Rockne was killed in a plane crash in Kansas, en route to Los Angeles to make a football demonstration movie.  He was 43 years old.

His teams won the last 19 games he coached.

Cap gave Knute’s nose a good rub (shiny from countless prior visitors) – a ND tradition, and headed out onto the South Quad, an open area for students feeling the urge to throw a football, frisbee or just hang out.  He passed through Howard Arches, then

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