In November 1842, Fr. Edward Sorin journeyed approximately 300 miles on foot from Vincennes, Indiana, to found the University on a piece of land next to a snow-covered lake.
This August, the University will sponsor a pilgrimage retracing Sorin’s footsteps to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Notre Dame's founding, University president Fr. John Jenkins announced in an email Monday night.
All members of the Notre Dame community are welcome to participate in the journey, Jenkins said in the email.
“Together we will embark on a pilgrimage dedicated to Our Lady, a journey of hope and thanksgiving,” Jenkins said.
The Congregation of Holy Cross, the French religious order to which Sorin belonged, received land for the University as a gift from a local bishop, according to the email. Sorin and seven Holy Cross brothers made the trek north from Vincennes to build the school.
Details about the “Notre Dame Trail” can be found at trail.nd.edu. The journey will be approximately 320 miles, according to the website, and will take place from Aug. 13 to Aug. 26. The pilgrimage will conclude on Notre Dame's campus with a Mass on South Quad.
