Foundress Week Activity Reflection

Today, Friday February 2nd, I joined other NDNU students and faculty for a historical tour of our campus, led by Sr. Roseanne Murphy. Receiving this tour was a worthwhile experience. It was a beautiful day and we got to appreciate Belmont's beautiful weather and our school's lovely greenery, all while learning a little bit more about the birth of our university.

We first met in front of the library, where Sr. Roseanne gave each of us these informative handouts which I have inserted below. The font is small and a little bit difficult to read, but the first handout is basically a summary of NDNU's history, mission, values, and spirit. Something interesting I learned from this is that NDNU was formerly known as College of Notre Dame. It was also originally an all women's institution until it became coeducational in 1969. The second handout is interesting too because it lists the buildings on campus and who they are named after. I learned St. Joseph's Hall was actually named after our foundress Sr. Francoise, though it doesn't seem like it, because she changed her name to Joseph Blin de Bourdon. Sr. Roseanne shared that she wishes someday New Hall too will be renamed something that will honor our community's important figures.

Mission, spirit, and history of NDNU.

From the library, we made our way to the chapel. Here Sr. Roseanne shared that the statue outside chapel intentionally has its hands out because Sr. Margaret wanted the statue to be reaching out to all the students, as you can see below. Also, she explained the bells cannot intentionally ring because of Belmont's winds, but she did mention that there is a program to make the environment sound like chapel bells are ringing. We then went inside, and she showed us the plaque pictured below. She said the French saying, "Ah qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu" as pictured, is engraved on the crosses that the Sisters wear "like a habit." It means something similar to "Ah, don't you think God is the good God," and "Oh he's good, God." She pointed out how this saying is reflective of the first Hallmark of a Notre Dame de Namur learning community: "We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good." It was here that she mentioned the Sisters were living through a rough time because of the French revolution, and the government wanted after them. She then led us into the actual chapel space and started telling us about each of the stained glass depictions. Below I have included a picture of the stained glass of our foundress St. Julie Billiart, which you will see once you walk in and look to the right. Sr. Roseanne explained how Sr. Julie was literally a woman of the poor, and she welcomed them entirely and wanted to make sure they were educated. She also shared that she wrote about St. Julie that can be found in the library. This made me reflect on how they did not have a lot of money to build the schools, but since they were dedicated to promoting education, they found away. She also shared that the wall behind the crucifix and the altar was made by the sisters. She actually helped to lay the stones, and once they were finished, the wall was raised.

The statues and bells outside Cunningham Memorial Chapel. 

 "Ah qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu"

The wall behind the crucifix and altar was handcrafted by stone. When it was completed, it was raised.

We made our way into St. Joseph's Lounge after the chapel. Pictured below is an image of the stone in St. Joe's Lounge of the ship that brought the Sisters to America. Some ships had to be Sr. Roseanne informed us that Namur is in Belgium. Most of us thought it was in France. There are however, some French-speaking areas in that location. The sisters came from a primarily Belgium-speaking region, so once they came to the United States they had to learn English.

The ship that brought our foundresses to America.

We ended the tour by the grove and Ralston Mansion. According to Sr. Roseanne, 9/10 students do not where this location is on campus. Today was my first time learning about it. It is basically a very peaceful place near Ralston Mansion once you walk down the other side of campus. Sr. Roseanne shared that even in high school she liked to come to this spot to pray. It is a great place to reflect and be alone in isolation. She provided us some history of Ralston Mansion as well. She told us that once it's finished being renovated, she hopes to be able to give us a tour. Also, I learned that the music hall used to be a bowling alley. 

This tour helped me put together why we celebrate Foundress Week. At first, I didn't see the big deal. However, after learning how much the Sisters faced, economically, historically, politically, and socially, especially with not having much money to build schools and while growing up during the era of the troubled of French Revolution, we realize that the structure of our school did not just come from anywhere. It is important to remember, celebrate, and appreciate how our school came to be. We have a lot to be grateful for, as the Sisters left behind a tradition that fosters this inclusive and justice-oriented community we have. The Hallmarks are how we can remember to carry out the Sisters' mission.

"The Grove," a peaceful meditation, contemplation, and prayer space on NDNU campus located by Ralston Mansion.