2009 Mass of the Holy Spirit

Central to BC’s identity as a Catholic, Jesuit university, the Boston College community, with University President Fr. William P. Leahy, S.J., at its head, celebrated the year-opening Mass of the Holy Spirit September 17, in the heart of campus in O’Neill Plaza. With noontime classes cancelled, O’Neill Plaza was filled to the brim with faculty, staff, and students of all years, shapes and sizes. The Mass began with a procession of deans and certain faculty members, dressed in full academic regalia, followed by an impressive train of concelebrating Jesuits. Under the direction of Meyer Chambers, the trusty Liturgy Arts Group furnished the music for the Spirit-filled Mass.

Father Leahy, Father O’Keefe, and many other Jesuits continue opening Mass tradition that dates to the Middle Ages.

Father Joseph O’Keefe, dean of the Lynch School of Education, delivered an academic, artful and engaging homily. Citing the historically essential inaugural addresses of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama, Father O’Keefe likened the Gospel reading in Luke – the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God – to an inaugural speech. It was the first large public event in Jesus’ life, following his arduous preparation for 30 years with the Holy Family and through temptations in the desert for 40 days. O’Keefe noted, “The Lukan Jesus aligned himself with the prophetic tradition-to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Transitioning to the Mass at hand, O’Keefe described it as an “inaugural ceremony” that is an “ancient tradition of Catholic universities,” specifically those of the Jesuit order.

Fr. O’Keefe encouraged those filling O’Neill Plaza to be open to wisdom in unexpected places.

He called for the wisdom of the “emeriti and the first year student, residents and those off-campus, Catholics and those of other faith traditions, conservatives and liberals, women and men, poet and the scientist, and the athlete and the artist” to be underscored by an “ambience of respect.” He closed his homily with the invocation, so rich in the tradition of the Church, “Come, Holy Spirit, come!”

Reactions to Fr. O’Keefe’s homily and to the Mass itself from the students attending and praying at Mass were positive and enthusiastic. Danielle Sanchez, A&S junior and three year singer in the Liturgy Arts Group, reflected, “The Mass [of the Holy Spirit] reminds us of our commitment to serve others, which is an important goal to center ourselves on at the beginning of a new school year.”

For the Eucharistic Prayer, all the Jesuit priests in attendance joined Father Leahy, newly appointed Campus Minister Fr. Tony Penna, and Father O’Keefe at the altar.

Though the beginning and end of the Mass were clouded and cool, quite providentially sunlight broke through and warmed O’Neill Plaza for the duration of the Eucharistic Prayer. The pastor at my home parish always told us, “With God, there is no such thing as a coincidence.”

Let us pray that as the sun shined on the altar during the holy sacrifice, the Son Himself may shine the light of His grace on this university, nourished by the fruits of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, throughout this academic year.

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