Mass of the Holy Spirit

People often wonder what makes a Catholic and Dominican university unique. While Ohio Dominican shares in the beliefs and values of our Catholic faith and the traditions and practices of our Dominican charism, there are many religious and faith based colleges and universities. One unique aspect of a Catholic university is the tradition of the Mass of the Holy Spirit. This special event was celebrated on campus on Monday, August 28th.

For hundreds of years Catholic colleges universities have gathered at the beginning of the new academic year to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit. While the actual derivation of the Mass of the Holy Spirit is unclear, we do this, I believe, for three principle reasons.

First, we gather as a community to invoke God’s blessings on our new students, our new faculty & staff, the new academic year and the students, faculty and staff who have returned for another year. As a Catholic and Dominican University, we pray and expect to be blessed by God in our endeavors as a community of scholars and learners.

Second, this liturgy has become an annual ritual at Catholic colleges and universities because scholars and learners, faculty, staff and students, together recognize that teaching and learning are sacred. What will happen in the classroom and in learning encounters throughout this campus is a sacred act and we thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this special Dominican university.

Finally, through our prayer, we ask God for the spirit of wisdom. With God’s help, we will develop the wisdom to use our education to help others, to serve the Common Good.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit at Ohio Dominican University is a fitting way for the entire community to gather in prayer and celebration at the beginning of another year.