The Orestes Brownson Council

The Orestes Brownson Council was founded so that Notre Dame students may better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, many Catholics are ignorant of Church history and of the intellectual origins of Her doctrines and traditions. In bi-weekly meetings, members of the Brownson Council discuss the classics of Catholicism in a seminar format.

The Brownson Council is reading for the spring of 2008 Fr. Sertillanges’ The Intellectual Life, this first chapter of which can be downloaded here: http://www.nd.edu/~obcnd/intellectuallife1.pdf

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The Orestes Brownson Council reads from the perennial works of the Catholic tradition in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the Faith. Examples of authors the Council has read or will be reading over the coming months are St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Orestes Brownson, John Henry Newman, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, John Senior, G.K. Chesterton, St. Benedict, Evelyn Waugh, Hilaire Belloc and Christopher Dawson.

Orestes Brownson - the man
Orestes Brownson - The man

Let us take things as we find them: let us not attempt to distort them into what they are not. We cannot make facts. All our wishing cannot change them. We must use them. - John Henry Newman

The Orestes Brownson Council Statement of Principles declares: "We believe in one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the authority of the Holy Father in Rome, the saving grace of the sacraments, and the Truth of Church doctrine." We do not seek to self-interpret or change Church doctrine, but rather to understand and embrace it as the Truth of God's Church.

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions. - G.K. Chesterton

We seek to make Notre Dame an orthodox Catholic institution. However, we do not accept reactionary measures, but rather a rational, structured and intellectual method of change much in the spirit of Orestes Brownson. The Council also regularly sponsors lectures, films and conferences that enrich the intellectual atmosphere of the University of Notre Dame and promote positive, Catholic, change.

Love is the motive, intellect is the means, power the end; that is, love moves us, intelligence enables us, to exercise power over nature. - Orestes Brownson

If you have any questions about the Orestes Brownson Council, please do not hesitate to contact us. The financial contributions of supporters are essential to our work, both in the Notre Dame community and beyond. If you are able to help our cause in any way, please contact us.