Holy Cross Spirituality & Philosophy of Education: Sr. Madeleva Wolff CSC & Fr Theodore Hesburgh CSC

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The course examines the history, spirituality, and philosophy of education of the Holy Cross family of Catholic religious orders, including the Congregation of Holy Cross which founded the University of Notre Dame and the Sisters of the Holy Cross which founded Saint Mary's College. The focus will be on discerning the shape and central themes of Holy Cross spirituality as this affects the approach to education characteristic of Holy Cross institutions. The first part of the course will examine the historical origins of the Holy Cross religious communities, including the work of their founder Fr. Basil Moreau and the early Church and modern theologians whose writings deeply influenced Moreau's theology and spirituality (Augustine of Hippo, Benedict of Nursia, Ignatius Loyola, and the theologians of the French School, among others). The second part of the course will examine Holy Cross philosophy of education in conversation with other religious approaches and also early 20th century secular philosophies that influenced higher education in the United States. The third part of the course will examine the ways that Holy Cross spirituality and philosophy of education influenced but were also transformed by Saint Mary's and Notre Dame, especially in the work of two past presidents of these institutions: Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff, C.S.C. who served as president of Saint Mary's from 1934-1961 and Fr. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. who served as president of Notre Dame from 1952-1987. The class will alternate weekly meetings between the Saint Mary's and Notre Dame campuses and will include visits to important Holy Cross sites on both campuses. The class will also host a number of guest lectures and attend the annual Madeleva lecture at Saint Mary's. Course requirements include weekly short reflection papers and a final paper on a historical or contemporary Holy Cross educational figure.