Hi there! We are Paul Mitchell (ND ’07) and Katie Broussard (ND ’04, ’06), and the author and illustrator of Sorin Starts a School: The Foundation of Notre Dame.
It is our pleasure to tell the story of how we created this book.
On its surface, the book is about building the university, but the main point is to introduce readers to the spirituality of the Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC), the order that founded the school. This spirituality as well as the accompaniment of the men and women of Holy Cross have been a profound gift to us, and we are overjoyed to share it with others in this new picture book.
Five Essays on the CSC Spirituality and Sorin Starts a School
During the final week of the Kickstarter campaign, Paul wrote a number of essays to explain the book’s roots in Holy Cross spirituality. We link to these essays below so that you can explore the depth of these themes for yourself.
Below are essays on three central themes of CSC spirituality and how we weave them into the book.
1) Our Lady of Sorrows as a Timely Teacher
2) “The Cross, Our Only Hope” and the Excellence of CSC Accompaniment
3) “Come, Follow me”: The “Stability Stanza”
Some folks have asked, “Why a book about Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC?” Paul answers in the essay: “So, let us be builders like our brother, Ed”.
We are delighted to share the book, but are honestly most excited to announce that all profits from the book go to the excellent work of the CSC in Bangladesh, and the foundation of Notre Dame University – Bangladesh.
Read more about our connection to the CSC folks in Bangladesh in the essay: “The Truth Will Make You Strange”: Appreciation of Fr. Tom McDermott, CSC and the Best of the Holy Cross in Bangladesh.
Encounter Notre Dame’s Missionary Roots
Order Sorin Starts a School: The Foundation of Notre Dame today! All proceeds support the work of the Holy Cross in Bangladesh.
Excited about this project and want to work together to share it? We’d love to hear from you.