Welcoming Pilgrims: Stories of Hospitality at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

This week, we sat down with Sue Montalbano, the previous coordinator of tours and hospitality at the University of Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart Basillica. Get ready to uncover the hidden stories behind the thousands of visitors welcomed to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.  From her stories of spontaneous visitors to the organized chaos of football weekends, Sue shares how she managed volunteer tour guides, created meaningful tour scripts, and ensures each visitor experiences the Basilica's deep spiritual significance. She shares how she used her role as her mission field, guiding every tourist into a pilgrim, helping them not only uncover history, but discover Christ. In our conversation, Sue and Joan talk through the delicate balance of preserving the sacred atmosphere while catering to a diverse array of guests. Whether you're planning a pilgrimage, or just a fan of Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish, get ready to hear about it all!Stories in Light by by Cecilia Davis Cunningham and Nancy CavadiniA Spire of Faith by Thomas J Schlereth