In late summer 2011, Executive Vice President John Affleck-Graves presented an idea to do a book on the chapels of Notre Dame, with photos of the spaces and stories of their patron saints, notable relics, or other unique aspects of each. He convened a group that included Congregation of Holy Cross priests, theologians, historians, University Trustees, and the Notre Dame Press, with the goal of having a hardbound book in the bookstore within a year.

The project required coordination with residence hall rectors, Mass schedules, and chaplains participating in the design process. The book was in the bookstore ahead of schedule.