Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington and University Chancellor, celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit with priests from the local and campus community. (Catholic University/Patrick G. Ryan)
The Catholic University of America celebrated the beginning of the academic year Aug. 31 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, an annual tradition where the community gathers to pray for guidance and grace from God.
University Marshal and Law Professor Regina Jefferson led a noon procession of faculty to the Great Upper Church and the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington and University Chancellor, the celebrant and homilist, drew from the first reading of Ezekiel 36:24-28, with his preaching focused on the human heart. He prayed that “God’s spirit fill this University” with wisdom, joy, and reverence for the divine truth.
“The pursuit of higher Catholic education must include a person’s entire heart, his or her very self. We pray that the heart of each student, staffer, faculty member, and administrator will constantly beat with intense love and kindness throughout this upcoming year,” said Cardinal Gregory.
In his remarks after Mass, University President Peter K. Kilpatrick encouraged all those present to pray about how we can all “be moved by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw more closely together as one community.”
Dr. Kilpatrick emphasized that unity does not mean sameness and said, “it is precisely your distinctiveness that is your unique contribution to the community.” He said Masses celebrated on campus that incorporate the traditions of the diverse student body serve as an example of our inclusive identity as the nation’s Catholic university.
The University was founded by the U.S. bishops and the unique role the institution plays in the life of the Church was reflected in the Mass. After the homily, new philosophy faculty Steven Waldorf and Father Bonaventure Chapman, O.P. and Monsignor William King of the School of Canon Law received canonical authorization from Cardinal Gregory to teach in the name of the Church.
Father Chapman, Ph.L 2017, Ph.D. 2023, said taking the Oath of Fidelity during the Holy Spirit Mass served as a reminder that he needs God’s grace and mercy to help him fulfill his mission to teach for the sake of Christ and his Church.
From left to right: Philosophy assistant professors Steven Waldorf and Father Bonaventure Chapman, O.P. and canon law assistant professor Msgr. William King profess their faith during the conferral of canonical mission. (Catholic University/Patrick G. Ryan)
Monsignor King, J.C.L. 1989, said it is “humbling, a little intimidating, and at the same exciting” to return to his alma mater with such a unique opportunity and responsibility to share Christ’s teaching.
“Walking around campus and especially standing in the same classrooms where my love for the Church was inspired, I want to do the same for this generation of students,” said King.
Waldorf said after the Mass that he is “deeply humbled by the trust placed in me to teach the truth in the name of the Church” and that he "prays for God's grace to carry out this task well."
“Whenever I look at the letter of canonical mission which now sits in my office, I am reminded of this trust and feel encouraged in my vocation as a Catholic academic,” he said.
The liturgy was broadcast live via EWTN, CatholicTV, Facebook, and YouTube.
Take a deeper dive into what makes the Mass of the Holy Spirit for The Catholic University of America community with the video below.