Posted January 16, 2005 An excellent book for campus and youth ministers, and parents Book: Times of Grace: Spiritual Rhythms of the Year at the University of Notre Dame Author: Nicholas Ayo, C.S.C. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, New York, pp. 165 An Excerpt from the Jacket: Spiritual concerns are part of the substance of the University of Notre Dame. The campus remains a place of pilgrimage, a nostalgic memory of years past, a vibrant university for tomorrow’s leaders, and a unique residential community. Central to its spiritual character is the constant awareness that the presence of God’s truth, goodness, and beauty can be found in daily life if we develop the eyes to see these times of grace. Following “Signs of Grace (2001), in which Nicholas Ayo describes the spaces and places of the Notre Dame campus, “Times of Grace” considers the times and events of the school year. In four parts divided into seasons, “Times of Grace” explores ordinary moments of study and play, quiet times set aside for personal and academic reflection, and official university and Catholic holidays. Ayo touches on the spiritual effects of the first days of classes, All Saints’ Day, Christmas on campus, Junior Parents Weekend, Holy Week, final exams, graduation day, and alumni gatherings. He traces through these shared experiences a common thread of community spirit and individual reflection. We come to know God through the recurring events of our lives. Wherever we might live, this book sharpens our ability to view the annual events that surround our lives and illuminate their hidden implications for daily grace. An Excerpt from the Book: Let us talk about how the academic year begins with the first day of class and in particular how it might feel for the teachers as well as for the students. At the beginning of the semester, when the students do not know each other, they come to class with the hesitancy and feared humiliation of saying something stupid. First-year students especially need encouragement. I take their pictures on the first day with a Polaroid camera and give them a color-copy sheet with all their photos and names. We rehearse their names on the first day, and thereafter I give surprise “quizzes” throughout the semester. So and so, please name all the women in the class. So and so, please name all the men. I ask first names one week and first and last names another week. By midterm most of the students can spontaneously name everyone. To name is to respect in a special way. I have watched students become friends because there was a name basis for a relationship. Table of Contents: Autumn Morning prayer First day of class Opening Mass of the academic year Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom Vow profession day Dorm Sunday night Mass Saint Edward All Saints’ Day Veterans Day Saint Elizabeth of Hungry Christ the King Winter Saint Nicholas Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Guadalupe Information overload Campus Christmas Silent night The unexpected Church Unity Octave Saint Agnes Martin Luther King Day and Roe vs. Wade Anniversary Saint Thomas Aquinas Saint Blaise Vocation Sunday Spring Saint Valentine’s Day Sophomore literary festival Junior parents weekend Ash Wednesday The Lenten season Spring break week Saint Patrick Stations of the Cross Saint Joseph The Annunciation of the Incarnation Holy Week Ordination day The Fisher Regatta Final exam week Graduation day Summer Alumni reunion weekend June, July and August