A memorial mass is planned for Tuesday at 8pm at Notre Dame Stadium to honor the two students killed Saturday when they were hit by a minivan.
The mass comes on the same day that autopsies are scheduled for Valeria Espinel and Olivia Laura Rojas. Both were 19 years old and were first year students at ND.
A third student was also hit and was hospitalized in critical condition at last report on Saturday.
As students headed back to class this week following the tragedy, Notre Dame student Sophia Mazzone says students are having a hard time coping with what has happened.
“It’s just something we can’t fathom. We just can’t put into word the suffering or make it better for us,” Mazzone said.
Charlie Marder, an RA on campus, says the tragedy forced a previously disconnected campus to come together as a community again.
“It’s kind of a slap in the face reminder that we are all Notre Dame. As isolated as you might be feeling right now, that will never take away the fact that we are inherently connected,” Marder said.
Notre Dame student Annie Morejon says it’s something that impacts all students.
“You don’t have to know them to feel that a part of our community is still missing,” said Morejon.
Annie also says the tragedy comes at a time when most students are already at a breaking point.
“Some people are probably having a really horrible time with their mental health right now. We need a reprieve from academic stuff. I feel like we should just call it quits on a bunch of stuff this year,” Morejon added.
The mass commemorating Valeria Espinel and Olivia Lara Rojas will take place at 8:00 p.m. in Notre Dame Stadium and will be livestreamed as well.
(Below is an email about the mass that was shared with the Notre Dame campus community.)
Please join the Notre Dame community as we come together tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8:00 p.m. in Notre Dame Stadium to celebrate Mass in memory of first-year students Valeria Espinel and Olivia Lara Rojas.
As we gather in prayer to honor Valeria, Olivia, and their families, University President Fr. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will preside, and Director of Campus Ministry, Fr. Pete McCormick, C.S.C., will preach.
For those who wish to attend in-person, the stadium will open at 7:30 p.m. with prelude music beginning at 7:45 p.m. Students should enter through Gate A and follow the direction of the ushers. Faculty and Staff should enter through Gate B and follow the direction of the ushers.
Masks and physical distancing are required at all times.
Temperatures are expected to be in the low 40’s, so please dress accordingly.
For those who wish to attend virtually, the Mass will be live-streamed and can be viewed here.
The University Counseling Center (574-631-7336) and Campus Ministry (574-631-7800) are available to offer their support to members of our community.