Wheeling Jesuit University will celebrate its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, in the performance gym of the Alma Grace McDonough Center. The Mass is open to everyone — students, employees and the community.
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a 460-year tradition of Jesuit education that is nearly as old as the society itself and takes place at Jesuit schools worldwide at the beginning of the academic year.
In the words of Fr. John LaRocca, S.J. of Xavier University, the purpose of the Mass “is to ask the Holy Spirit to be with all of us in the university community — all who learn here, all who teach here, all who work here — to be able to see the presence of God in the world.” In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit is associated with wisdom and unity, gifts that we ask for all members of our campus in the coming year.
A community dinner will follow at 4:30 p.m. at the Benedum Room in Swint Hall.
“After the dust clears from the start of a new academic year, it’s good to take a moment to gather together as a community to reflect on what we’re about, and to pray for guidance, clarity and strength,” said Jamey Brogan, director of Campus Ministry. “The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a joyful celebration when we give thanks for the many gifts God has given us as individuals and as a university.”