Rev. Theodore “Ted” M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., 97, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 26) at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Fr. Hesburgh, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross for more than 70 years, was president of the University of Notre Dame from 1952 to 1987. He was one of the nation’s most influential figures in higher education, the Catholic Church, civil rights, and national and international affairs.
“We mourn today a great man and faithful priest who transformed the University of Notre Dame and touched the lives of many,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame’s president. “With his leadership, charisma and vision, he turned a relatively small Catholic college known for football into one of the nation’s great institutions for higher learning.
“In his historic service to the nation, the Church and the world, he was a steadfast champion for human rights, the cause of peace and care for the poor,” Fr. Jenkins said.
In accord with Father Hesburgh’s wishes, a customary Holy Cross Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame in coming days for his family, Holy Cross religious, University Trustees, administrators, and select advisory council members, faculty, staff and students. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Father Ted Hesburgh, C.S.C., Fund for Excellence in Catholic Education at Notre Dame or to the Congregation of Holy Cross.
A University tribute to Father Hesburgh will take place in Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center at a time to be announced.
For more on Fr. Hesburgh’s life and for other arrangements as they become available, see the special tribute pages on the University website.
