Spiritual Life
Dawg Mass & Liturgical Life
"Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! "-Canticle of the Turning
Alumni Hall is a dorm that prides itself on its unique sense of community, and there is no better display of this community than at Dawg Mass. Every Sunday at 9 PM, Dawgs, Lady Dawgs, and Notre Dame students of all faiths join together in the celebration of the Eucharist. Attendees have the opportunity to find not only their relationship with Christ strengthened, but also with their fellow Dawgs in bonds of communion and brotherhood. The Most Dangerous Mass Band™ (rated “Best Dorm Band at Notre Dame” by a Lady Dawg) beautifully accompanies the congregational singing, and thought-provoking and uplifting homilies resonate with our college lives.
But perhaps the best part of Dawg Mass is the beautiful chapel that the celebration calls home. Often referred to as “Basilica South”, Alumni Hall’s St. Charles Borromeo Chapel is the perfect site to host “ALUMNI’S REFRESHING AND INSPIRING SUNDAY EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION” (direct quote from Fr. George Rozum himself). Long story short, you won’t regret attending Dawg Mass with your Alumni brothers. No experience nor fancy attire are necessary; we want you to come as you are! The one exception is during Advent, when the Dawgs dress up and come together at the end of the semester for a beautiful and inspiring Candlelight Mass, followed by an end of the semester celebration.
The hall also offers daily Mass at 9 PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, with a half hour of Eucharistic Adoration after mass on Wednesdays, followed by Waffles and Ice Cream in the Dawg Park. We also pray night prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours every night at midnight.
Alumni Hall even went viral in 2025 for singing the Canticle of the Turning with unmistakable energy at Mass. The video captured the joyful, full-throated spirit that makes Dawg Mass such a beloved Alumni tradition. It is a fitting glimpse of spiritual life in Alumni Hall that the Dawgs went viral simply by singing together.
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth & Fellowship
Alumni Hall also hosts a weekly Bible study every Friday afternoon to discuss the Scriptures and their relevance to our lives. And, following Dawg Mass every Sunday night, a group of Dawgs known as "Grotto Dawgs" make a pilgrimage to the grotto-usually "dogs out"- where they light a candle and share their prayers and intentions for the week. The hall also has an Exodus 90 Group that meets during the second semester in preparation for Lent, which is known for its midnight runs to Dave's Hot Chicken after the Friday fast is over!
Once a year, Dawgs are also invited to attend a hall retreat off-campus. Last year, the Dawgs traveled to Michiana Christian Camp for an overnight retreat complete with peer talks, prayer, reflection, Mass, and, of course, recreation time together.
Get Involved
There are several ways to get involved in the spiritual life of Alumni Hall. One way is by being an extraordinary eucharistic minister, helping to distribute the Body or Blood of Christ to your fellow Dawgs and Lady Dawgs. Another is by being a lector proclaiming the Word of God. Still another is by being a server at mass. To be an extraordinary minister, lector, or server speak to one of the Sacristans after Mass or send them an email. Our Sacristans for 2026-2027 are Alumni Hall Junior Nick Ciocca, who is abroad in Rome in the Fall and Alumni Hall Sophomore Jimmy Szpak. Jimmy's email is jszpak@nd.edu.
Can you play a musical instrument or sing? Do you wish to be a part of the ***loudest Canticle of the Turning*** on campus? Would you like to use your talents for Dawg Mass on Sunday nights? Speak to one of our Liturgical Music Commissioners about joining the World's Most Dangerous Mass Band™ after Mass on Sundays. Juniors Michael Budd mbudd2@nd.edu and Brady O'Shields ioshield@nd.edu and Sophomore Ian Lawler ilawler@nd.edu are our Liturgical Music Commissioners for 2026-2027. We would love to have you involved!
