From June 7 to June 9, 2024, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) hosted its second annual Congress for Spiritual and Public Leadership—or as the Institute for Latino Studies (ILS) calls it, the Congreso. ILS is a proud sponsor of the multiracial, multiethnic, and multigenerational grassroots organization that actively seeks to bring justice to the lives of brown and black community members in the disadvantaged regions of Chicago, with a Catholic faith-based approach. This year, an even larger group of Notre Dame students attended the Congreso, including 10 students from the Cross-Cultural Leadership Program (CCLP)—7 from the South Bend cohort, and 3 from the Chicago cohort—2 students with independently arranged internships, and 1 student from the Institute’s Latino Scholars program. Two of the total 13 students were fulfilling summer internships with CSPL, working vigorously behind the scenes to keep the program running smoothly.
Hosted at the School of Law Loyola University campus, this year’s theme was Come to the Table. Notre Dame students were eager to join the Chicago faith-based leadership community. Students signed up for 18 volunteer opportunities throughout the three days, helping at check-in, as campus guides, street marshals, and more.
On Friday, CSPL eagerly introduced the keynote speaker for the event, John Dominic Crossan, a world-renowned scholar and theologian. Delivering a lecture each day, he offered an in-depth exploration of the historical Jesus and invited us to consider the practical implications of building the Jesus movement of today. Students were invited to enter reflections after each lecture, and they publicly shared their thoughts and steps for action.
On Saturday, students engaged in prayer, mass, workshops, and reflections that contemplated the power and action of faith-based communities and congregations. Despite their unfamiliarity with Chicago’s context, students granted their total support for the justice that brown and black communities seek. Students offered prayer and their commitment to seek faith-based justice in their communities.
After a long day of critical action planning, CSPL still had time for celebration. A reception was hosted Saturday evening, where CSPL participants took the time to create a dance floor where everyone rejoiced as one undivided community.
On Sunday, CSPL entered the streets with solidarity and in prayer for young people whose lives have been tragically lostto violence and mental illness. Participants marched along the Magnificent Mile, where CSPL board members expressed the demands for their campaigns in Chicago and the western suburbs. Notre Dame students took the issues of Chicago’s youth communities to heart, as violence and mental illness affect the lives of all youth, regardless of where they live.
Notre Dame students at the Insitute for Latino Students literally and figuratively led the pack at the Congreso. CSPL staff and community members were eager to share the table with vibrant, dedicated, and insightful college students—the type of students found at the Insitute for Latino Studies at Notre Dame.
Originally published by at latinostudies.nd.edu on July 01, 2024.