University President Fr. John Jenkins released a statement Thursday announcing Notre Dame will ring the bells of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart Friday morning in “celebration and welcoming of immigrants from around the world.”
By doing so, Jenkins said Notre Dame will take part in a global initiative known as the “Bells of Joy.”
“Joining in a global ‘Bells of Joy’ initiative launched by former Irish President Mary McAleese, Notre Dame, together with churches and other institutions worldwide, will symbolically banish hatred and fear of our foreign brothers and sisters,” he said in the statement.
Jenkins said in the statement that this celebration is particularly relevant this year, as the University was founded by immigrants 175 years ago.
“As we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, an immigrant brought to Ireland first as a slave who then returned as a missionary, and as the University of Notre Dame celebrates its founding 175 years ago by French and Irish immigrants who, like the many who came after them, brought faith, scholarship and industry to our nation, we pray for immigrants around the world and ask that they may continue to share their gifts,” he said.
