For the second consecutive year, the University invites students, faculty and staff to come together in January to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate the diversity of the campus community.

On King Day, Monday, Jan. 16, there will be a Candlelight Prayer Service in the Main Building rotunda at 11 p.m. The event is open to students, faculty, staff and the public. University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will preside over the prayer service and lead attendees in prayer and reflection. Following the prayer service, there will be a candlelight procession to the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue on the Main Quad.

“In celebrating Dr. King, we are reminded that the diverse gifts and backgrounds of people enrich rather than divide us, that we must not simply tolerate diversity, but embrace one another as sisters and brothers and strive to build, however imperfectly, a community of love,” Father Jenkins said.

From Sunday, Jan. 22, to Friday, Jan. 27, the University will observe Walk the Walk Week with a number of events for students, faculty, staff and the South Bend community. Two featured events — an MLK Celebration Luncheon and Community-Building Lunches — on Monday, Jan. 23, will focus on what it means to Walk the Walk.

View the entire Walk the Walk Week calendar. 

About 3,000 students, faculty and staff will receive tickets to attend the MLK Celebration Luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 23, in the North Dome of the Joyce Center. The free event will feature “A Conversation with Judge Ann Williams: Walking the Walk” as well as remarks by Father Jenkins.

Luis Fraga, co-director of the Institute for Latino Studies and professor of political science will serve as convener. Faculty and staff tickets will be distributed through colleges, schools and divisions. Student tickets will be available Jan. 17-19 at the LaFortune Box Office. If you have questions about the ticketing process, please contact Breyan Tornifolio at btornifo@nd.edu or 631-8961.

Members of the Notre Dame community who are not able to attend the campus-wide luncheon are invited to gather with friends and colleagues for Community-Building Lunches in North and South Dining Halls to continue the day’s conversations. There is no charge for lunch upon presentation of a Notre Dame ID between 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

“During Walk the Walk Week, we reaffirm our commitment to respect the dignity of every human person, to work for the common good that allows each to flourish and to live in solidarity with all, particularly the most vulnerable,” said Father Jenkins.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to share their experiences and respond to the question “What’s your next step?” on social media throughout the week using #NDwalkthewalk. For more about the Candlelight Prayer Service and Walk the Walk Week events, visit diversity.nd.edu