It is relatively easy for the Catholic Notre Dame student to practice his faith. On any random day, if a student so chooses, he can attend Mass, participate in a religious organization, or take a theology course. The site of students in pajamas at a Sunday night dorm mass is a testimony to Notre Dame’s commitment to providing students with convenient opportunities to practice and engage their faith.
This convenience is not the case for students studying abroad. Notre Dame’s largest study abroad program, the London Program, is located in one of the world’s least religious cities. Students in the London Program are informed during orientation that the continuation of their faith life must become a conscious effort.
Junior Jake Darnell shared his thoughts on the challenge. He reflected, “My faith life is something that’s very important to me, and leaving dorm Mass behind was a sad thing for me this semester.”
Darnell, however, like many of his peers, embraced the opportunities to attend Mass offered by the program. “When we started doing flat Mass at Conway, I was really excited to get into a faith community. It’s something that’s really important to me, and it makes me feel like I belong,” he said.
The Notre Dame London Program provides a weekly Sunday night mass in Conway Hall, the newly opened London residence hall. Students enjoy the homilies of Fr. John Dikson, a local London priest.
In addition to Sunday Mass, the London Program also provides a variety of retreats and other religious activities. Darnell noted, “The retreat at Portsmouth was also a wonderful experience. It was a way for me to escape the bustle of London and really spend some time with God through other people and through nature.”
Notre Dame students abroad in other countries shared their faith experiences. Junior Victoria Anglin spent the fall semester studying abroad in Athens, Greece. Anglin commented on the impact travel has had on her own faith, “Visiting various churches around Europe has truly changed my perception of the Catholic Church. I can honestly say that I feel like I am truly part of something global, a faith that transcends culture and language,” she said.
Like Anglin, Amanda Bruening, also abroad in Athens, experienced growth in her faith life despite Greece’s tumultuous economic and political conditions.
“Being abroad and away from the resources Notre Dame offers for furthering my faith has definitely been a challenge. The situation has forced me to seek out the church not just to fulfill my holy obligation but also in search of a Catholic community where I might feel at home,” Bruening said. “At times, it has been easier said than done overcoming cultural barriers such as language and just general practice. However, my time in Europe during such economic, political, and social unrest has made me realize how important faith is…[in the] advent season. With so much uncertainty and fragility in the world, my faith provides me the courage to hope anxiously for peace and unity.”
Anglin agreed, stating “In Greece over 98 percent of the population is Orthodox. As a result there is only one Catholic Church in all of Athens. While it was definitely more difficult to find an English speaking service, it was always worth it.”
Even after diverse religious experiences in foreign countries, in near unanimous consent, students were excited to again experience their faith lives under the dome. “I am absolutely looking forward to being able to walk down the stairs for dorm mass next semester,” Anglin said.
Scott Englert has just returned triumphantly from London. Contact him at senglert@nd.edu.
