Loyola community to come together for the Mass of the Holy Spirit

A view of the inside of the Holy Name of Jesus Church during the celebration of the Mass of Holy Spirit. The mass is a traditional Eucharistic celebration that Loyola organizes for faculty and students at the opening of each school year.

WADNER PIERRE/PHOTO EDITOR

A view of the inside of the Holy Name of Jesus Church during the celebration of the Mass of Holy Spirit. The mass is a traditional Eucharistic celebration that Loyola organizes for faculty and students at the opening of each school year.

Andrew Callaghan
September 4, 2015

The Loyola community will gather at the Holy Name of Jesus Church at 11:30 a.m on Sept. 10 to celebrate the beginning of this new school year at the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

All 11 a.m. classes will be cancelled so that the entire Loyola community may attend.

This Jesuit tradition dates back to the 16th century during the time of St. Ignatius. This historical tradition was first observed at a Jesuit school in Messina, Sicily in 1548. Most Catholic Universities and Jesuit High Schools celebrate this annual religious tradition.

Presiding at the Mass will be the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president. The Rev. Ronald Mercier, S.J., provincial of Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, will be the preacher. Representatives from various Jesuit apostolates and schools in the New Orleans are scheduled to attend.