Charles M. Carey, CSC
| Religious Bulletin March 16, 1953 ---------- |
Charles M. Carey, CSC
|
| Religious Bulletin March 16, 1953 ---------- |
Why the "Fighting Irish"?
Many people wonder (or worry) about Notre Dame and that word, Irish. To us, it doesn't mean race exclusively; nor is it just another nickname. The fact is, it keeps alive the memory of a long, uphill fight for recognition against a spirit that was not always generous, nor even fair-minded. The Irish, as known at Notre Dame, has an authentic history and a meaning deeper even than race.
Notre Dame began athletic relations chiefly with local colleges founded by various denominations. Press reports would refer to the schools as the "Baptists" or the "Methodists," and the like. For Notre Dame it was the "Catholics," or the "Irish." But the players were never all of Irish ancestry; nor were they all Catholics.
The usage was not original, but a continuing custom from earlier Colonial times. The bulk of the first Catholic immigrants were Irish -- so that Catholics and Irish were identical in the public mind. It is sad to recall now, but few of the original states were without laws against them. Advertisements for 'help wanted' commonly carried the restriction: "No Catholics. No Irish." The Puritans were the first to cry: "Stop the Irish!"
When the religious origin of other colleges lost its significance, the emphasis shifted to conventional names, and to their school colors. But history is recorded remembrance in our blessed heritage here at Notre Dame. Fighting Irish! It's more than a name; more than a people. It is the Faith!
In narrow, little New England, it began as a slur -- a term of opprobrium. But we took it up and made of it a badge of honor -- a symbol of fidelity and courage to everyone who suffers from discrimination; to everyone who has an uphill fight for the elemental decencies, and the basic Christian principles woven into the texture of our nation. Preserving this tradition, and this meaning of Irish at Notre Dame does honor to everyone of us. It explains why Lewinski belongs here; why Alessandrini is the Irish leader; why Schmaltz belongs here; why Bertrand, and Moreau, Van Dyke, and Larson feel at home here as much as do Leahy and O'Brien.
You And St. Patrick
Tomorrow, the world will be green for a day while we honor the patron saint of Erin. Big-hearted people of all nationalities will pause to applaud the contribution of the Irish to the civilization of the world. Best of all contributions made was the Faith which they took with them wherever their wanderings took them.
Patrick is a great saint of God; and therefore a great saint of the church. And if he belongs to the Church, then he belongs to you. That's why you should pray to St. Patrick, asking him to increase your Faith; bolster it; make it a living reality in your everyday life -- keeping you aware that the trials and sufferings of this exile are as nothing when compared to the glory that awaits those who fight the good fight that overcomes the world!
Tomorrow you can take this one lesson from the Irish: they were never so poor in all their wanderings and sufferings that they bartered their Faith for the comforts of this life. They had little to take with them wherever they went; but the Faith was always the most precious of their paltry possessions. Their spirit has made it easier for you to practice your Faith here in America today. May the Fighting Irish always be with us!