Lewis Hall Rector Apartment
Daniela De Ciantis, rector of Lewis Hall, invites us into her dorm apartment to learn about the sanctity of hospitality.
“Hospitality is an important calling of the Christian life, and my apartment allows me to live that out in a particular way. Whether it is hosting guests for a meal, leading a hall staff meeting, or sitting in prayer with and for my residents, I try to let my demeanor and this space reflect the inherent worthiness of each person who visits.”
As we prepare for Jesus’ coming at Christmas, how can we ready the dwelling of our hearts, making a home for him and ensure that we are ready to receive him with hospitality and joy?
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The residents of Lewis are blessed to have you as their rector.
God love you, Daniela! Blessed Advent!
Beautiful, Daniela, thank you. I have 2 male students, and I know they have benefited from their rectors’ ministry.
God bless you Daniela! Your message and your actions are beautiful. God has entrusted you with serving your community at ND.
Thank you, Daniela! What a beautiful space you’ve created for the young women of Lewis Hall.
Thank you for sharing. My eldest daughter was a Lewis girl and made many life long friends there, I will forward this reflection to her.
Ty for making me feel like a part of Lewis hall and the peace that comes with your shared place.
Thank you Daniela for your spiritual support & service to Notre Dame women. One of the best decisions the University made in admitting women in 1973. Patrick ND ‘72
Another beautiful reflection. Just FYI, Patrick, The first year of undergrad coeducation began in Fall 1972. You just missed us! 🙂
Maria–how true to our/our life at ND! I spent 42 years at various mijistries,and was alway enriched! David Burwrell CSC david.b.burrell.2.nd@gmail.com
As Bridget’s grandmother I am delighted to have this chance to meet you though virtually.
Thank you for watching out for her and all the Lewis girls.
Daniela, I’m a 74 graduate (Dillon hall 4 yrs) so I was present when women arrived on campus. I have a daughter & 5 sisters so I know the value of women & their presence. Thank you for being their & I am trying to make my humble abode more hospitable. Rem
Thank you, Daniela, for the work you do with these young ND women.
As one of the 33 laywomen who were the first people to occupy the fourth floor of Lewis in September 1968 (32 graduate students and one law students–Lewis never had enough sisters to fill more than the three lower floors), I have fond memories of Mrs. Hoffman, the mother of a CSC priest, Fr. Joe Hoffman, and Lewis Hall’s first housemother for us lay women. Her apartment was on Lewis’s first floor, across the hall from Sr. Isabella, who was rectress for the religious sisters who lived on the three lower floors. A petite, gentle, elderly lady with silver hair, Mrs. Hoffman was kind and soft-spoken. She did not counsel us, but she was there “for us” the four years I lived in Lewis.
I am sure there are other laywomen from those early years who have equally good memories of her and the times we had and changes we brought to ND “before coeducation.”
A beautiful message to share this Advent season, thank you for all you do, Daniela!
Thank you Daniela for all you do for the Lewis women, including my daughter (class of 2023). She has loved her life in the dorm from day one.
Lovely! The woman of Lewis are lucky to have you
Daniela thank you for the wonderful reflection. I was blessed to be Head RA in Cavanaugh Hall August, 1989-May, 1991. I had an apartment space much like yours and recall those many moments of blessing and grace. It only becomes sweeter each year as you see the successes and challenges of your former residents throughout their lives. I thank God for that blessing and you for this reflection.
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Thank you.