It was the best of seasons, it was the worst of seasons; it was a game of touchdowns, it was a game of turnovers; it was the inspiration for belief, it was the cause of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the autumn of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had a playoff berth before us, we had a second-tier bowl before us; we were in Heaven on earth, we were in a cold, wet Stadium of defeat. Since 1887, we’ve had worse seasons, but few as ...
History
Good Fridays w/Padre: Relics
In Holy Mother Church (not to be confused with The BVM or your own mother, the first of whom will always care for you, the second of whom will never fail to criticize you) as I was saying, in Holy Mother Church we venerate such things called relics. The word comes from the Latin relictus, meaning ‘that which is left behind.’ Of course, you’d know that if my University hadn’t dropped the Latin and Greek requirement – you’re all getting weak. At any rate, a relic is a piece of a Holy Saint, and ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: No Regrets
And so for all but the Seniors, it’s time to go home. Not that the Land of Our Lady isn’t home, too. I mean it’s time to go to your original homes – land of private bedrooms and non-abrasive toilet paper. Sure, usually there are two rectors, one male and one female; and the dining fare selections are significantly more limited at mealtimes (by the way, if you complain about the food, you can expect to take a spatula to the face). But it’s home…for three months, and then you can come back to ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: Our Forces
Evidently we’re playing something called the Air Force Academy this weekend. I’ve never really understood what an “Air Force” actually is. We never had one in France – and if we had (let’s be honest) they would have found a way to surrender promptly. We never had an Air Force back when I was starting my Northern Indiana adventure. We were still doing cavalry charges and using sabers. So this is all rather odd to me. As I have studied the issue, it seems that the Air Force maintains many ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: Armageddon
The Revelation of the 86th meeting between Notre Dame and USC, which The BVM gave unto him, to show unto his Irish, things which must shortly come to pass; and She sent and signified it by a really freaky dream unto Her servant Edward. Blessed are they who read this, and they who hear the words of this prophecy, and who believe those things that are written herein: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND. I, Edward, who also am your founder, and your companion in tribulation, was in the most beautiful ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: True Colors
Green is good. It’s the color of God’s green earth. Green is the shade of Ireland – 40 shades of Ireland. Green is one of OUR colors. Not the ugly reptilian green of Michigan State; not the olivetan green of Tulane and their wave. This is Irish Green…shall we say Kelly Green. What wonderful serendipity that our field general shares his name with one of our favorite colors. So the Leprechaun Legion (that mirabile visu green horde of spirit and pride and love and support and noise and ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: Plagues
All this rain that has swamped our green and pleasant land over the past two days has put me in the mind of plagues. A plague is a test sent by God to determine how committed we are in our faith – like parietals. Unlike parietals, which only bring good and prevent evil, many plagues can cause much suffering – like Michigan State. Since 1897, we have endured 75 plagues of Michigan State. We even initiated a trophy, like the Ancient Greeks, to dedicate our victories to divine assistance. This ...
Good Fridays W/Padre: Misremembered
The world is a very different place up in Ann Abhor Arbor. The stadium is bigger, the fans are meaner, and the shade of yellow is urine-ier. They even have an entirely different perspective on the world and all that’s in it, as seen through their beady little giant-North-American-weasel eyes. What follows, then, is the Irish-Wolverine rivalry, according to the Book of Michigan. 1879 – A devastating fire rages through Notre Dame’s Main Building. Young men from the University of Michigan ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: Templars!
In the realm of mascots, none is greater than the Fighting Irish. It is singular. It is unique. It has never been repeated. It celebrates a race of men whose mighty shoulders and strong hands have built this country, fought its wars, and raised its children. It exalts that “never say die” spirit which has inspired both boxer and iron-worker alike to get up every single time he’s knocked down, whether by fists or by life’s tougher blows. It honors a people of deep faith and abiding hope, ...
Good Fridays w/Padre: Welcome
In 1863, a little over 20 years into our Northern Indiana adventure, I published a comprehensive disciplinary code for the lads. It has formed the backbone of our rules going nigh on 150 years now, albeit with revisions. Time marches on, customs change...Ted let in girls. So I have kept The Code as up to date as I can, both within reason and within the fine Notre Dame tradition of calling everything tradition and changing nothing except that which is absolutely necessary to change. Thus, ...