Theology at Notre Dame (upcoming freshman)

[ramsfan911]

First off, this site and everyone involved in it has been a blessing. I am 18 and just graduated from an all boy’s catholic high school. I will be attending the univ. of notre dame in the fall. I’m not sure what I want to major in yet, but i am really thinking of at least minoring in theology. I’ve heard from a few people that the theology at ND is too lax/watered down/unorthodox, and that scares me a little. I would not want to learn a wrong theology. However, I do also want to study the church and its doctrines.
Secondly, I am also discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I would greatly appreciate your prayers. Thank you.

 

[bilop]

I have heard mixed things about Notre Dame’s theology department. There is the well known dissenter Fr. McBrien, I’d avoid him, and some others of his generation that are decidedly NOT in union with the Church doctrinely.

However, i have also read that many of the newer, younger faculty are faithful and orthodox in their Catholicism.

Are you familiar with the Mandatum? It is a cerification from their Bishop that a professor’s teaching is in line with the Church. You could inquire which Profs. have this, and seek out their classes.

You might also seek out an orthodx priest at Notre Dame, or in the area to help guide you. Maybe someone on these boards would know one? Especially since you are discerning the Priesthood.

Most importantly, educate yourself on what the Church teaches, and be prepared to defend it, if your Profs. teach otherwise.

God Luck and may God Bless you in your education and discernment.

 

[Andy_K]

First off, this site and everyone involved in it has been a blessing. I am 18 and just graduated from an all boy’s catholic high school. I will be attending the univ. of notre dame in the fall. I’m not sure what I want to major in yet, but i am really thinking of at least minoring in theology. I’ve heard from a few people that the theology at ND is too lax/watered down/unorthodox, and that scares me a little. I would not want to learn a wrong theology. However, I do also want to study the church and its doctrines.
Secondly, I am also discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I would greatly appreciate your prayers. Thank you.

If you are in the process of vocational discernment, I would inquire about Notre Dame’s Old College Program. It’s a college seminary program oriented towards the discipline of the Holy Cross Priests. I was actually considering this myself, but decided to attend St. Joseph’s college seminary at Loyola instead, as their program is structured to support discernment towards the Diocesan priesthood.

Old College participants are also granted Free Tuition…not that you should participate for that reason alone, but it certainly is a nice incentive, no?

I, too, have heard many comments about Notre Dame’s lack of orthodoxy, not just in reference to their theology department, but the campus life in general. Several family members of mine, however, have personally assured me that this is NOT true, and my limited time I spent among certain members of the student body also makes me question this notion that Notre Dame is “unorthodox”. Honestly though, if you’ve been spending time on these forums, you’ll probably know relatively quickly if what you’re being taught is bordering on heterodoxy, anyway.

Good Luck with w/e you decide to do

 

[ramsfan911]

Thank you for the replies. I have looked at the old college program, but I plan on attending as a regular student for at least 1 year to further discern. at least that is MY plan, so God could change all of that. Would the Holy Cross theology for seminarians be possible “watered down” or is that just occuring somewhat in the theology dept. of the school? If it is like most college seminaries that I have looked at, I would take classes for phil. and theo. along with those majoring in those dept. at the school itself. thanks again for the info.

 

[Domer1997]

Ramsfan911,

As someone who knows several Holy Cross priests and seminarians at Notre Dame, trust me in the fact that their Theology is by no means “watered down”. Moreau Seminary at the U. of Notre Dame is neither conservative nor liberal, it is where it should be…right in line with Rome. As for Fr. Richard McBrien, he is NOT a Holy Cross priest, rather Archdiocesan (Diocese of Hartford). I’ve never had him as a professor (most do not…he doesn’t teach a whole lot anymore), but after talking to several who have had him, he by no means dissents from the church, at least not while in the classroom. I know he “toes” the Vatican line in the media, but he does not bring this into the actual classroom. I wouldn’t worry about it since you probably won’t have him as a prof anyway.

I was also told by a seminarian at Notre Dame that the Theology Department has the most number of professors who have signed the Mandatum in the nation. Granted, it’s a large Theology department, so I don’t know about the percentage who have signed it. I only know that most are very orthodox and very much in line with Rome and Vatican teaching.

As for the school environment, it’s very Catholic. Daily Mass, confessions, adoration, single-sex dorms with strict visiting hours, and a campus full of Catholic art everywhere you turn. Trust me, regardless of what those on the “outside” say, you have NOTHING to worry about at Notre Dame. You will love it, and I wish you the best of luck!

God Bless