Rector, coordinator speak on sacramental preparations
For those looking to get married in Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the process can seem daunting. But fear not, the Rover is here to shed some light through those beautiful, 19th-century stained-glass windows, and illuminate the path to the altar.
Since its consecration in 1888, the basilica has served as the favorite place for Notre Dame alumni to tie the knot. The basilica usually hosts several weddings each Saturday, except on the days when the Fighting Irish have a home football game.
First, to get married in the basilica, it’s essential that at least one member of the engaged couple be a student, alumni, staff, or faculty at Notre Dame, or a member of Sacred Heart Parish. Reservations can be scheduled online and are available on Saturdays throughout the year and Fridays during the summer.
To understand the process, the Rover interviewed Fr. Brian Ching, C.S.C., rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Despite popular theories that engaged couples have to wait two years due to high demand, Fr. Ching said that “there are always a variety of spots open within a year.” According to diocese policy, couples should plan for at least six months of marriage preparation before the wedding.
Fr. Ching insisted, “There is certainly no need to try to book a spot before you have a significant other, though several have tried.”
Engaged couples must personally select a presider and readings for their ceremony. According to Fr. Ching, “Any Catholic bishop, priest, or deacon in good standing with the Church may preside at a wedding.” Some couples choose a priest they are close with, such as a priest-in-residence, rector, family friend, or home pastor.
In terms of choosing music and readings, Fr. Ching said, “Couples [should] look at the options for readings carefully, and then, think about … the sacrament they are about to enter, or how God has been at work in their relationship. [The music] should convey the beauty and dignity of the sacrament … or the gift of God’s love present in the wedding celebration.”
One of the most important parts of the process is the Marriage Preparation course. In Marriage Prep, also known as Pre-Cana, couples learn about the Church’s teachings on marriage—such as the nature, indissolubility, and purpose of the sacrament—and have facilitated conversations about finances and sharing the work of married life. One of the key goals is to foster “thoughtful, open, clear communication … essential for every marriage,” according to Suzy Younger, Campus Ministry’s Marriage Preparation Program coordinator.
If a couple completes marriage prep outside of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the program must be approved by the diocese. According to Fr. Ching, “Marriage preparation is important because the sacrament is a big commitment. We want to ensure that a couple starts off on as strong a foundation as possible, and help a couple think through all of the realities of married life.”
Younger had this to say about Pre-Cana on campus: “For many [engaged students], there is a beautiful meaning to preparing for marriage in the place where they met and fell in love. …We are surrounded by incredible people on our campus who are committed to our students’ formation, both as individuals and as they prepare the foundation for their marriage.”
As for the specifics of the program, participating couples have five personalized meetings with Younger, two meetings with a mentor couple, and a variety of discussions on fertility awareness methods. The end goal of the program is to create “a strong foundation for the couple’s future marriage and family life based on a formation in psychology, philosophy, and theology.”
Eleanor Zahorick, who graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 2023, is planning to get married to Notre Dame alum Michael Bender this summer. She advised students hoping to get married in the basilica: “Don’t get engaged prematurely just because you want to book your ideal day and time. Even if you don’t officially get engaged, booking it ‘just in case’ is an emotional commitment. Wait until the time is right.”
She emphasized, “Your engagement should be your free, joyful ‘yes’ to your vocation with another, not an obligation to a specific place and time. The basilica is beautiful, but what matters most is the sacrament. Prioritize preparing for marriage, and the wedding will fall into place as God intends.”
For all questions relating to initiating the process, please email basilica@nd.edu and expect to hear back within two business days. More information can be found on the basilica’s Wedding Process page.
Katiebelle Thompson hopes to someday be married in the basilica (only in summer), or in her warmer home parish, St. John’s. Send her your recommendations for caterers, receptions, and fiancés at cthomp23@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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