Mount Saint Mary's University

and described it as "a most desirable spot, and one soon I hope to be occupied by some prosperous institution." In 1836, Bruté traveled to France seeking funds and priests for his diocese, and one of the priests he recruited was Edward Sorin, the founder of Notre Dame. After Bruté's death in 1839, his successor, Bishop Hailandière, offered the 524-acre (212 ha) South Bend property to Sorin for the purpose of starting a college. The school was founded in 1842 as "L'Université de Notre Dame du Lac" (The University of Our Lady of the Lake). and grew to become the University of Notre Dame and its sister school Saint Mary's College.
Mount Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, and Saint Mary's College are each named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with Notre Dame meaning "Our Lady," a term of endearment for Mary. And each school's motto focuses on Mary's attribute of Catholic hope. Mount St. Mary's: 'Spes Nostra' (Our Hope), Notre Dame: 'Vita Dulcedo Spes' (Life, Sweetness, Hope) and Saint Mary's College in Indiana: 'Spes …