Had the opportunity on Monday morning to cover the All Schools Mass at the University of Notre Dame. The mass included 5,000 local Catholic school students who packed into Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion where the Irish basketball teams play. I’m not Catholic, and I can probably count the masses I’ve been to in my life on one hand. That said, I’m fascinated by the ceremonies and always enjoy shooting them when given the chance. Religious ceremonies always seem to lead to good pictures because they open people up, exposing some very telling moments about the characters of the worshippers. Below are a few pictures presented in black and white, but I also put together a gallery in full living color.
![The Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, makes his way into the Purcell Pavilion in a procession during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0001.jpg)
![Riley Niedbalski, left, Sarah Wood and Harley Pankiewicz, all 6 year olds from Mishawaka Catholic School sing during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0002.jpg)
![An altar server waits in the tunnel before the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0003.jpg)
![Priests watch the ceremony from the stage during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0004.jpg)
![Students watch as a processional makes its way into the arena during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0005.jpg)
![Members of a processional make their way into the arena during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0006.jpg)
![Bella Ravotto waits to play the bells with her fifth-grade Mishawaka Catholic School classmates during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0007.jpg)
![Students receive the Eucharist during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0008.jpg)
![Notre Dame's Marlyn Block points students in the right direction after the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the Purcell Pavilion at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0009.jpg)
![The Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, looks up to the crowd as he sits on stage during the All Schools Mass on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at the University of Notre Dame. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0010.jpg)
Stacey Litchfield says
Just stumbled across these on the internet. Wow! They are amazing. I always went to this mass when I was in grade school and I helped out in high school too. Thank you for the treat!