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Truth, Mission, and the Divine Presence: University Gathers for Annual Mass of the Holy Spirit

The campus community gathered for the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Students, faculty, and staff prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit at the annual mass that marks the beginning of the academic year. (Patrick G. Ryan/Catholic University)

The campus community gathered for the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, an annual celebration opening the academic year at The Catholic University of America. The August 28 liturgy was broadcast live on EWTN and livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.

 

Thumbnail of video 2025 Mass of the Holy Spirit

Archbishop for the Military Services, USA and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Timothy Broglio was the principal celebrant and homilist. The concelebrants included: 

  • University Chaplain and Vice President for Ministry and Mission Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP
  • Canon Law School Dean Monsignor Ronny Jenkins
  • Theological College Rector Gladstone Stevens, PSS
  • St. John Paul II Seminary Vice-Rector and Dean of Men Father Benjamin Petty
  • Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family Provost and Associate Professor of Theology Father Antonio Lopez, FSCB
  • Director of Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Father Ismael Ayala

The Mass seeks the guidance and blessings of the Holy Spirit for the university community, including students, faculty, and staff, as they embark on their educational journey. During the homily, Archbishop Broglio spoke of how the University highlights the complementarity of knowledge and faith in a mission unique in our nation.

Archbishop Broglio preaches from the pulpit at the Basilica.

“Our faith is authentic when it embraces our whole life, when it becomes the criterion for our decisions, when it makes us women and men committed to doing what is right and willing to take risks out of love,” said Archbishop Broglio. 

The Catholic University of America, as the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, is the only institution in the country with ecclesiastical faculties granting canonical degrees in three disciplines: canon lawphilosophy, and theology. During the Conferral of Canonical Authorization, David Patrick Long of the School of Canon Law was granted the authority to teach on behalf of the Catholic Church. 

University President Peter Kilpatrick gave remarks after Mass where he shared how the liturgy is an expression of the community’s commitment to living out the spirit of the Gospel. He encouraged all those in attendance to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

“I urge you all at the beginning of this academic year to think about these fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit that we all want and all need to become the persons who God wants us to be,” said President Kilpatrick.

 

Take a deeper dive into the meaning of the Mass of the Holy Spirit at The Catholic University of America: 

Thumbnail of video What makes the Mass of the Holy Spirit so Special

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