By Alex Nemec, marketing communication specialist in the Office of University Relations
Since its founding, Marquette University has lived out its Catholic, Jesuit mission and values, setting an example for others in Milwaukee and the Midwest.
Following are some stories and events of Marquette advancing its mission and embracing our Jesuit values.
Ignatian Year Celebration
Marquette University joined the worldwide Jesuit community in 2022 to celebrate the Ignatian Year, which marked 500 years since St. Ignatius of Loyola’s life-changing “cannonball moment.” Throughout the year, Marquette hosted dozens of events focused on Ignatian spirituality, discernment, the Society of Jesus’ Universal Apostolic Preferences, and the significance of “Ignatian moments” in our everyday lives.
Check out some photos from the May 3 celebration and the Ignatian Year wall dedication.
Restored St. Joan of Arc Chapel reopens with new Gratitude Garden
A generous donation from the Slaggie Family Foundation aided the restoration of the historic St. Joan of Arc Chapel, completed in fewer than nine months — just in time for the Advent season.
Throughout 2022, hundreds of faculty, staff and students came to reflect, pray and celebrate during regular and special Masses inside the historic chapel’s sacred walls.
Read about the re-opening from local media, including WTMJ-TV (NBC 4) and WTMJ-Radio (620 AM).
As part of the restoration project, Marquette unveiled the new Gratitude Garden outside of the chapel, where the campus community can sit and reflect in a natural space for birds, bees and other wildlife alongside growing and blossoming plants.
The garden, which comprises only native plants, sits adjacent to the chapel’s existing, sacred grounds.
Read more about the garden and its use in caring for our common home.
Celebrating Mission Week
Last year, Marquette asked members of the university community to open space in their day for one of many Mission Week offerings, including opportunities to listen to inspirational speakers, pray, worship, reflect and take time for silence each day. Focused on the theme “Open to Possibility,” Mission Week celebrated the global Jesuit community by featuring lunches from areas around the world where Marquette Jesuits have conducted their ministry.
For 2023, the Office of Mission and Ministry debuted a new multi-year theme with its “Act with…” series. This year’s Mission Week theme, “Act with Kindness,” focused on how in every waking moment and with every interaction, there is an opportunity to act with kindness.
Read the recap of Mission Week 2022 and check out photos from Mission Week 2023.
Jesuits tell their stories
As part of Mission Week 2022, the Office of Mission and Ministry featured several Jesuits who spoke about practicing their ministry around the world before coming to Marquette.
In the series of interviews, the Jesuits reflected on their time abroad and how they were open to the possibilities presented to them while ministering to those across the world.
Read their stories on the Faith at Marquette website.
Connecting faith with art
As campus quieted for the summer, several faculty, staff and students who remained on campus took part in the Ignatian Summer Art Series.
The series’ first iteration was a popular one, as campus community members gathered to express themselves through art, while reflecting the ways in which St. Ignatius’ teachings can guide them each day.
See some of the art created by the participants in the photography, painting and writing series.
Baccalaureate Mass features student speaker
When the 2021-22 academic year came to a close, graduates and their families gathered in community at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena for a special blessing at the annual Baccalaureate Mass.
Speakers included President Michael R. Lovell, Rev. Greg O’Meara, S.J., rector of the Marquette Jesuit community, and student Brigid Hughes.
Read Brigid’s speech here.
Benches blessed in honor of late student
Shortly after graduating in 2020, Marquette alumna Christina Curtis tragically passed away at the age of 23.
To honor her, two benches were dedicated outside St. Joan of Arc Chapel — the same benches she would stop at to catch her breath while walking across campus following a lung transplant.
Read the touching story on Curtis’ life and her benches from Spectrum News.
