You'd expect a big fancy church building somewhere on the grounds of a Catholic University like Notre Dame. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart definitely fits the bill in terms of visual appearance and aesthetic, both inside and out. The guilding, large stone pillars, parallel rows of pews, and various other vestments and decoration all provide a clear indication of "I'm in an old, holy building".

Because we visited for mass on a Sunday morning, however, this experience was immediately augmented upon entry to the building. Before even crossing the threshold, I was hit with the strong olfactory blast of holy incense, a part of mass I'm not used to at home and definitely forgot existed in general. While I somewhat adjusted to the smell throughout mass, it was used throughout the service, such that any time I saw a dusting of the acrid stuff placed across the bible or altar, I was immediately reminded of it and noticed the odor again.

While we arrived late to a mostly full congregation, an usher found us a place in the pews within a minute of our arrival. From here, mass proceeded as expected in both content and pacing. The priest was topical and somewhat funny and self-effacing in his Homily, the music was solid between the organ and choir throughout, and nothing else of great surprise or noteworthiness occurred.

This was one of many trips to the Notre Dame campus, but my first mass at the Basilica. Without commenting extensively on my faith and personal life, I can say the Basilica and its congregation do a good mass. Nothing super transformative to report or write about, just a solid church service.

If prompted by family or other fellow travelers in the future, I'd go here for mass again. Stay great, Notre Dame.