Mourners flocked into the University of Notre Dame campus throughout the day Tuesday to pay their respects to Father Theodore Hesburgh, who passed away last Friday at the age of 97. The former Notre Dame president will be laid to rest Wednesday afternoon.
The entire community is grieving the loss of a leader and civil rights champion. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg ordered city flags at municipal properties to be lowered to half-mast from 5:00 pm on Monday until 8:00 am on Thursday in a show of respect.
Area residents, college students and faculty lined up outside of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, despite a steady stream of drizzle and chilly breezes.
A public viewing was held until 6 pm. A private wake service was held at 7:45 pm. The public viewing resumed again at 9 pm and will remain open to the public until 10 am Wednesday morning.
In respect for the long-time president of the university, Notre Dame is cancelling all classes that are held after noon on Wednesday.
A private funeral is planned for 2 pm. A public viewing of the funeral will take place at the Compton Family Ice Arena. It will also be streamed at hesburgh.nd.edu.
The funeral will conclude with a procession from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to the burial site at Holy Cross Community Cemetery.
Dignitaries ranging from former President Jimmy Carter to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will speak at a memorial on Wednesday evening. Other speakers include former Notre Dame head football coach Lou Holtz and Senator Joe Donnelly.
The private memorial tribute will take place beginning at 7:30 pm at Purcell Pavilion. The public can view the tribute at the Compton Family Ice Arena or streamed online.
Photo Credit: Nathan Rupert, flickr
