Regardless of your personal religious faith, Loyola University Maryland's Office of Campus Ministry can support you in your quest for spiritual direction through its range of worship opportunities, spiritual development programs and retreats. You can also apply to become a campus ministry intern, working closely with the office's professional staff to help implement retreats, service activities, music programs or spiritual development initiatives.
Worship Opportunities
Catholic Mass
Mass is held every day in Alumni Memorial Chapel at 12:10 p.m. Alumni Memorial Chapel is the site for most services, while Fava Chapel, located in Hammerman Hall, on the east side of campus, provides another convenient location.
Worship Schedule
Daily Eucharist- Alumni Chapel
Monday-Friday 12:10 p.m.
*Sacrament of Reconciliation at 11:45 a.m. daily or by appointment
Sunday Eucharist
Alumni Chapel 11 a.m., 6 p.m.
Evening Prayer Service (Evensong)
Alumni Chapel, Thursday 5 p.m.
Students, staff, and faculty gather for Thursday afternoon prayer and reflection in the Chapel. Persons of all denominations are welcome to attend and join together afterwards for pizza and fellowship.
In addition, the Campus Ministry Office assists non-Catholic students by maintaining a directory of local churches, synagogues and mosques.
Liturgical Ministry
Students and members of the campus community are encouraged to participate more fully in Catholic worship as liturgical ministers: lectors, ministers of hospitality, or Eucharistic ministers.
Pastoral Music
All those willing to make a commitment to music ministry are encouraged to consider one of the following opportunities:
- The Chapel Choir, which consists of more than 50 singers, leads sung prayer at the 6 p.m. Sunday Mass during the school year. The choir also presents other performances. One highlight of the year is the Festival of Lessons and Carols, a candlelight Christmas concert.
- The Handbell Choir performs several times each term. Ten musicians participate, chosen for aptitude (prior experience not required).
- The Liturgical Dance Ensemble is another opportunity to bring together artistic expression and ministry. Experience in ballet or lyrical dance is preferred but not required.
Intern Positions in Pastoral Music
If you have experience and talent in keyboard or guitar, choral or folk group directing or voice you may be interested in this paid position working with the Director of Music and Liturgy. An opportunity to develop leadership and to share the journey of faith, as an intern you’ll help with organization of the music program, liturgy planning and music selection.
Spiritual Development
In addition to worship opportunities, you can also participate in programs that explore questions of faith, develop moral character, to discover and affirm values and beliefs, help you arrive at a deeper understanding of the world and of your relationship to God. The following offerings are of special interest to students actively engaged in this quest:
Connections — First-year students arrive on campus several days early and are exposed to the work and life of campus ministry at Loyola through service work, a retreat and cultural activities.
Koinonia — Pronounced Coin-O-Nea, this small group of students meet weekly to discuss their feelings and beliefs on many topics having to do with the spiritual dimension of their lives and healthy and meaningful ways to pursue happiness and fulfillment.
Resident Outreach — A set of student-led programs and activities intended to enrich life in Loyola's residence halls. Professional staff members and interns work with RAs to organize discussions and presentations on values and positive life choices.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — The process by which individuals become full members of the Catholic Church. This formation process culminates in the reception of one (or more) of the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. During the RCIA process, persons are invited to explore more deeply their own faith journey while being introduced to the basic beliefs, liturgy and service mission of the Catholic Church.
Retreats
Retreats offer students a chance to take time out from their busy lives for prayer and discernment, and to consider major issues of faith, vocation and identity. A sample of recent retreat options includes:
First-year Student Retreats — open to all first-year students; held twice each year
Kairos to College — a follow-up to the Kairos retreat offered in many Jesuit high schools
Sophomore Retreat — A weekend of reflection and prayer for second-year students, focused on identity
Junior Retreat — a chance to reflect spiritually on the many transitions of your third year at Loyola
Senior Weekend — Explore where you've been, where you're going, and the challenges, fears and excitement ahead
Men's Retreat — A laid-back venue for Loyola men to reflect on everyday experiences, questions and challenges
Women's Retreat — A relaxing opportunity to step away from the pressures of school and explore a woman's role in spirituality, personal and social issues
Meditation Center
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Need a short break from the pressures and demands of your busy academic and social lives? Make an appointment to visit the Relaxation Room, located in the Humanities Center and sponsored by Loyola’s Counseling Center. The room is designed to help you develop relaxation skills, cope with stress and practice mindful meditation. You might enjoy using the Counseling Center’s biofeedback software, Journey to the Wild Divine.
Fava Chapel
Students looking for a smaller, more intimate worship experience—or perhaps those who missed the Sunday morning service—often attend Mass on Sunday evenings in Fava Chapel, located in the Hammerman residence hall on the east side of campus.