The best-kept secret at Loyola is not what happens behind the closed doors of the president’s dining room, or the true identity of the members of 1540. The best-kept secret at Loyola is the existence of daily Mass held in the Ignatius Chapel in Bobet Hall.
I personally try to take advantage of the secret that is daily Mass as often as possible. I try to attend daily Mass because it’s a chance to get away from everything else going on. For 30 minutes every day I can get away from classes, homework and meetings. The stress caused by the test I have the next day goes away. The deadline I have to meet for RHA disappears for a while. Having 30 minutes at daily Mass helps me to focus better when I go back to my work.
Daily Mass acts as a centering point during my day. I use daily Mass as a time to reflect back on my day and to recognize what went well and what didn’t. During daily Mass I find myself realizing how God is always present in my life, whether I have a good day or not.
My favorite part about daily Mass is the time that I get to spend with my friends. During daily Mass I get to bring together two of the most important things in my life: my relationship with God and my relationships with my friends. Daily Mass is a unique chance for my relationship with God and my relationships with my friends to grow together. I get to grow closer to God with and through my friends.
There’s really no excuse not to go to daily Mass, even if it is just once. Mass doesn’t take long. It’s only 30 minutes. There are fewer readings. The priest gives a shorter homily. Even if you do have homework to do, you can take a break, right? Instead of sitting on Facebook for half an hour, or going to sit and eat at Flambeaux’s, try going to daily Mass.
If you don’t like going to Mass because you think you can’t sing, daily Mass solves that problem too. No songs are sung during daily Mass, so you don’t have to worry about being compared to anybody else.
If you don’t like going to Mass because you think there are just too many people, daily Mass solves that problem. On average, only about 10 people go to daily Mass. If you’re worried about being alone, then just bring a friend.
Daily Mass even solves the problem of having to get up early on a Sunday morning after going out the night before. Daily mass is at 12:30 and 9 p.m. so there is no need to worry about waking up.
Alex Hall is a religious studies junior.
He can be reached at
