Bonfire Game

Notre Dame Seminary took on their younger brothers on the other side of the lake, St. Ben’s seminary (also known as St. Joseph Abbey and College Seminary), in a football game on November 16. This annual tradition goes back to 1933. The afternoon began with Mass celebrated together in the abbey church with a homily from our own Dc. Donald Bernard. After Mass, the two seminaries played the much-anticipated Bonfire football game. St. Ben’s gave a good fight, and the score was tight for nearly the entire game, but Notre Dame came out with a stunning victory (20-18) in the end. Following the game (and after time for the players to shower), the two seminaries came together for communal evening prayer and dinner. Finally, the joint community lit a giant bonfire in the woods of the abbey’s property which burned throughout the night. We give thanks to almighty God for the fraternity forged during that day, and we wish St. Ben’s better luck next year.