Jesuits West

Fr. Julian Climaco, SJ, a campus minister at Santa Clara University, wrote about the university’s Student Candlelight Mass:

Every Wednesday at 8 p.m. this year, the overhead lights in the Mission Church's main sanctuary dim in favor of the ambient flicker of candlelight. The evening grew out of a long tradition for the Center for Spirituality and Faith (formerly Campus Ministry): Wednesday nights in the Mission had often been set aside for student-centered prayer and formation.

In past years, students gathered for Eucharistic Adoration with praise and worship music and a Scripture reflection, typically led by students in collaboration with College Catholics. Building on that foundation, Vice President for Mission and Ministry Fr. Matt Carnes, SJ, together with campus ministers myself, and Mr. Chris Castañeda, SJ, helped reimagine the evening as the weekly Wednesday Candlelight Mass.

What began as a small gathering of students has since grown into a vibrant community of up to 50 faith-filled young adults seeking a peaceful reprieve from the rigors of academics and extracurriculars. The steady rhythm of Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions at 7:30 p.m., Mass at 8 p.m. and fellowship afterward has quickly become a beloved Bronco tradition. So, too, have the 80s and 90s snacks, lovingly curated by the young-at-heart Jesuits (IYKYK).

Learn more: scu.edu/csf//stories/student-candlelight-mass.html

Photos by Miguel Ozana
SCU Campus Ministry

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