As part of the Ignatian Fall Series and a follow-up to this past summer’s Ignatian Summer Series sunrise prayer, the Office of Mission and Ministry invites the campus community, alumni and their families to Mass on the Grass, Saturday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m.
The Mass will be held in the Gratitude Garden outside of St. Joan of Arc Chapel with the backdrop of a beautiful fall sunset.
“The Mass is one of the many blessings we have in life as practicing Catholics, but this Mass on the Grass is meant to engage our community and celebrate our Mission theme, ‘En Todo Amar y Servir,’ for this academic year,” Acting Vice President for Mission and Ministry Rev. John Thiede, S.J., says.
The Office of Mission and Ministry kicked off the 2023-24 academic year with a new mission theme: “En Todo Amar y Servir” or “To Love and Serve in Everything.” The phrase comes from the fourth week of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises on the Contemplation on Divine Love and the theme is meant to inspire the Marquette community to proactively cultivate unconditional acceptance, work together to lift each other up and show everyone what it means to be loved.
“Sitting near the Gratitude Garden, we have the special opportunity to conduct a Mass while simultaneously appreciating the beauty of God’s creation — all while being surrounded by loving Marquette friends and family,” Thiede says.
“Anything Ignatian has our senses woven into it the teachings,” says Brigid Kinsella-Alba, assistant director of mission engagement. “Further, St. Ignatius loved the sky and was in awe of it throughout his life.
“This Mass is a special opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and alumni and their families to get in touch with our senses and enjoy the smell of the crisp fall air and gaze upon a gorgeous, scenic sunset, all while coming together as a faith community. It is a reminder for us to find God in All Things.”
Father Thiede will preside over the Mass. Mass is meant to be informal, and people are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to share with family and friends.
After the Mass, a reception will be held with snacks from Milwaukee Pretzel Company and other light refreshments.
The Gratitude Garden is one of Marquette’s many sacred spaces on campus which are valued by students, faculty, staff and alumni as places to practice discernment and deepen their faith.
Other sacred spaces on campus include the Mother Teresa statue, under the shade of one of the many native Wisconsin trees on campus, and the Chapel of the Holy Family — which is used almost daily between Masses, Campus Ministry prayer groups and liturgical choir practices.
To register, click the link here.
