The Laetare Medal, established in 1883 , is a honorary award of the University of Notre Dame. The award is considered the most prestigious honor for American Catholics. Counselor to the University President, Father Peter Jarret said in 2005, "The award is meant to recognize the contributions of men and women whose faith energizes their work," and "A candidate for the Laetare Medal must be a practicing American Catholic who is said to have made a distinctively Catholic contribution to his or her intellectual or professional life. Ideally, the person's professional life would be one of service to others."