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A Jesuit Tradition Continues at SLU-Madrid

by Katie Gortz on 09/22/2020

09/22/2020

The SLU-Madrid community came together to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition among Jesuit universities dating back to 1548. Faculty, staff and students welcomed in the new academic year, invoking the Holy Spirit to bless the learning, research and service endeavors at SLU-Madrid. This tradition continues at both of SLU's campuses, in St. Louis, Missouri, and Madrid, Spain.

Joining Campus Chaplain Fr. James O'Leary, S.J., to celebrate the mass was Fr. Alberto de Mingo, a member of SLU-Madrid's Department of Theology. The program for the Mass is available here.

Mass of the Holy Spirit

Campus Chaplain Fr. James O'Leary, S.J., and Professor of Theology Fr. Alberto de Mingo celebrated this year's Mass of the Holy Spirit outdoors under sunny, blue skies.

In the homily, Fr. de Mingo discussed the privilege of studying alongside students from other parts of the world, as reflected in the diversity among students in his theology classes. This semester, he is teaching students from Haiti, Rwanda, Nigeria, Russia, Columbia, Mexico, Spain, the United States and several other countries. As a member of a Jesuit academic community, he said that privilege extends beyond SLU-Madrid's borders, however, and includes the privilege to serve, to create bridges, and to live out SLU's mission to be men and women for others.

The Mass took place outdoors on Padre Rubio Patio, under a cloudless blue sky. It was also live-streamed on SLU-Madrid's YouTube channel, allowing participants near and far to safely take part.

“Each new academic year brings its own joys and challenges,” commented SLU-Madrid Director and Academic Dean, Paul Vita, Ph.D. “The Mass brought us together as OneSLU to give thanks for our blessings and ask for prayers as we embark on a new academic year amid these unprecedented times.”