Marriages and Baptisms at the Basilica

Marriages at the Basilica

Congratulations on your engagement! We are pleased that you have chosen to be married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The celebration of your wedding is a very important occasion for you, and we’d like to help make your arrangements at the Basilica as easy as possible.

The Steps

A Timeline for Your Wedding Day

As a couple getting married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, you no doubt have many questions about where to begin the process. Below is an outline of the steps you need to take, in their proper order. They are discussed in further detail in subsequent sections. Please read it carefully and hold on to it for reference throughout your planning.

  • Step 1: Schedule your wedding and choose your presider (nine–12 months before your wedding)
  • Step 2: The Marriage Preparation Program (six to nine months before your wedding)
  • Step 3 : Contact the priest in charge of your paperwork (six months before your wedding)
  • Step 4 : Contact the Director of Music of the Basilica (six months before your wedding)
  • Step 5 : Contact the wedding coordinator, finalize the plans for your wedding, complete diocesan paperwork (three months before your wedding)

What we do for you:

  • Reserve your wedding date and collect and process all your paperwork for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
  • Set the policy for how the Basilica may be used and decorated for weddings. Guidelines will be available to you in your wedding packets once a date is reserved.
  • Provide a wedding coordinator who will attend the rehearsal, and wedding and will assist you in all the details of your wedding liturgy.
  • Campus Ministry provides liturgical musicians for your wedding and offers wedding preparation “pre-cana” programs.

Priest/presider: Normally your presider is the most appropriate person to administer the required Church documents however; if your presider is not available any Catholic priest in good standing may assist you in completing the various church documents. The documents you need will be provided to you in your wedding packet once confirmation of your wedding date is received.

Fees: There is a $500 church fee, payable to the Basilica upon confirmation of your reservation date and time of your wedding. This fee covers administrative and operation expenditures, and does not include stipends to the presiding priest(s) or musicians. Payment for musicians must be received at the Office of Campus Ministry 30 days prior to the wedding day. Stipends to the priest are usually given at the rehearsal or on the day of the wedding.

Sacred Heart Parish: If you are a registered member of Sacred Heart Parish: see http://www.nd.edu/~sacheart/index.html. All wedding arrangements are made through the parish office.

Reception Information

Many couples ask for information regarding places for rehearsal dinners and receptions.
Learn more about receptions.

Contacts

  • Basilica of the Sacred Heart (574) 631-4288 (to schedule a date or questions regarding paperwork)
  • Notre Dame Campus Ministry (574) 631-7800 (to arrange wedding preparation “pre-cana” or to contact musicians)
  • Sacred Heart Parish Office (574) 631-7511 (to schedule a wedding date – ONLY registered members of the parish)

Baptisms at the Basilica/Log Chapel

baptismal font

Your child may be baptized at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart or the Log Chapel if you are:

  • currently a Notre Dame student
  • an alumnus/a of Notre Dame
  • currently a member of the faculty or an administrator of the University
  • a member of Sacred Heart Parish

Diocesan guidelines require that all Baptisms be celebrated in the Basilica or the Log Chapel and in no other chapels on campus. If you are interested in scheduling a Baptism, please call the Basilica office at (574) 631-4288.

Required Paperwork: A letter of permission to baptize the child from your parish in which you are registered is required. Also, a pre-Baptismal class is required for all parents (first–born only) and a letter or certificate stating the completion of this class is required. Finally, a Baptismal Register form must also be completed and will be provided to you from the Basilica office at the time of scheduling a date.

Completed paperwork may be faxed to (574) 631-5445, send by e-mail to ahuber@nd.edu, or mailed to Basilica Office, 322 Coleman Morse, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556. It is highly recommended that paperwork be turned in two weeks prior to the Baptism.

Fees: No fee is required for use of the facilities. A stipend to the priest performing the Baptism is appropriate.