Loyola University Chicago

Campus Ministry

Division of Mission Integration

Lent

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter 2024

 

 

Lent is a forty day period of time during which Christians devote themselves to prayer, fasting, and works of mercy as a way of preparing themselves to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection at Easter. Originally a time of preparation for those who would be baptized on Easter, Lent gradually became a time when those who had left the practice of their faith would return to Christ and the Church. 

Today, Lent offers Christians an opportunity to prepare themselves to recommit to their baptismal promises at Easter by returning to the basic practices of their faith. 

Lake Shore Campus:
Madonna della Strada Chapel, all liturgies include the distribution of ashes:

  • 9:30 a.m. Word Service
  • 10:30 a.m. Word Service
  • 12:00 p.m. Mass
  • 3:00 p.m. Word Service
  • 4:15 p.m. Word Service
  • 5:15 p.m. Mass
  • 9:00 p.m. Mass

Protestant Ash Wednesday Service, join us for a brief time of worship, reflection, and the imposition of ashes:

  • 7:30-8:00 a.m., Palm Court – 4th Floor Mundelein

Water Tower Campus:
All liturgies include the distribution of ashes.

  • 11:30 a.m. Mass in St. James Chapel (Quigley Center, corner of Pearson & Rush)
  • 5:30 p.m. Mass in Kasbeer Hall (15th floor of Corboy Law Center)

Health Sciences Campus:
All liturgies include the distribution of ashes.

  • 12:00 p.m. Mass, Cuneo Atrium
  • 3:15 p.m. Word Service, Cuneo Atrium
Daily Bible Readings
For the scripture readings from the Mass, please click here.
 
Daily Prayer from " Sacred Space"
This prayer site is a joint apostalate of the Irish Jesuits and Loyola Press. For today's prayer, click here.
 
An Ignatian Guide to Lent
Catholics have a lot of Lenten traditions. If you've been Catholic a long time, you may not even register these traditions; they may feel tired and routine. This Lent, use Ignatian spirituality to breathe new insight into these sacred rituals. Learn about Lent and about Ignatian spirituality through the lived experiences of fellow practitioners. Join the Jesuit Lenten email series and receive these Lenten reflections in your inbox throughout the 40 days. Register online here
 
Lent 2024: It's Time to Refresh
Subscribe here for FREE daily reflections and join the Ignatian Solidarity Network, in our world in which injustice abounds, to refresh our souls and our imaginations to make space for the Spirit to work through us. Reflections are available as daily emails or podcast formats, your choice when you sign up for free.  
 
Fasting, Abstinence, and Personal Practice
The forty days of Lent are a period in which Christians devote themselves to increased prayer, fasting, and works of mercy as a way of celebrating the Mystery which lies at the heart of our faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord at Easter. This is also the time wherein converts to the faith enter the final stage of their preparation for baptism or full reception into the Church, and we especially pray for them during this time.

Lent is an opportunity for all Christians to take a self-assessment: where am I in my relationship with God? What more can I do to put this relationship at the center of my life? What stands in the way of being my most authentic self, that is, a beloved daughter or son of God?

In addition to regular acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the Church asks us to:

  • Abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (for Catholics above the age of 14)
  • Practice intentional fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday which means only eating one full meatless meal and (if needed) two smaller meatless meals which together do not equal a full meal. This fasting is compulsory for all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 except for pregnant women, those with medical conditions such as diabetes, and those engaged in manual labor. The Church also invites us to consider observing a fast on Holy Saturday up until the conclusion of the Easter Vigil.

SIGNATURE EVENTS
(scroll down for Weekly Events)

February 15-April 4:  Loyola Employees’ Busy Person Retreat, Throughout Lent, On Campus
The Busy Person Retreat is open to all Loyola University employees during the season of Lent. Participants commit to weekly prayer and weekly spiritual direction. Mission Integration will provide prayer resources and spiritual direction introductions. Register by February 19, using this Busy Person Retreat Registration. For more information, please email Lauren Schwer, lschwer@luc.edu
 
February 16:  Stations of the Cross, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Meditate on the life and death of Jesus with our AMDG and Lake Shore community.
 
February 18-19:  Into the Desert with the Lord
Madonna della Strada Chapel will be holding Eucharistic Adoration from the conclusion of the 9:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday, February 18 until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19. We accompany Jesus into the desert on this First Sunday of Lent and spend some time in prayer and introspection as we begin our Lenten journey. Confessions will be available on Monday evening at 8:00 p.m. and provide an ideal moment to confess our faults to God at the beginning of Lent so that we can encounter Jesus more readily. Adoration concludes at 9:00 p.m. on Monday with a solemn celebration of the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 
 
February 28:  Taizé Prayer around the Cross, 8:00-8:30 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Reflect on the meaning of the cross through word and song during this special ecumenical prayer service. 
 
March 1:  Sunrise Prayer
Join the CLC community to celebrate the beauty of nature as we watch the sunshine! Coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts will be available. Open to all! Gather at 6:50 a.m. on the lakefront path in front of Madonna della Strada Chapel. Questions?: vsastoqueluna@luc.edu.
 
March 4-6:  Faculty Writing Retreat
Come focus on your own individual writing projects - whatever they may be (writing, editing, grading, planning, proposing, napping, reading, dreaming) - but in the context of Loyola's mission and community. While most of the time will be free and private, the group will come together each morning for a brief contemplative practice and each evening for some reflection and sharing on our vocation as educators and scholars. Each participant will have a private room and bathroom, meals and refreshments. Retreat will be held at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Barrington, IL. To register, please click on this link: Mission & Identity - Retreats (luc.edu). Questions, please email Lauren Schwer, lschwer@luc.edu
 
March 15:  Stations of the Cross, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Meditate on the life and death of Jesus with our AMDG and Lake Shore community.
 
March 22:  Stations of the Cross, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Meditate on the life and death of Jesus with our AMDG and Lake Shore community.
 
March 25:  Via Crucis, 6:30 p.m., begins in Madonna della Strada Chapel
Follow Jesus’ way to the cross with this prayer service that focuses on social justice. 
 
March 27:  Taizé Prayer around the Cross, 8:00-8:30 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Reflect on the meaning of the cross through word and song during this special ecumenical prayer service.  
 

WEEKLY EVENTS

Sundays:  Madonna della Strada Chapel
For the complete list of Sunday liturgies at the chapel, click here.
 
Mondays-Fridays:  Weekday Mass, 12:00-12:45 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Participate in this reflective, spoken celebration of the Eucharist during Lent. 

Mondays:  Adoration of the Eucharist and Confessions, 8:00-9:00 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Take time out of your busy schedule to go to confession and pray before Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
 
Tuesdays:  Rosary, 9:00 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Pray the rosary with members of the AMDG Student Group.
 
Tuesdays:  St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Meet in Damen 232
Every Tuesday when classes are in session, a group of Loyola students join with Community Service and Action to volunteer at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen. Join us to prepare and serve a meal for guests. Full details are available here: https://www.luc.edu/serve/service/soupkitchen/.
 
Wednesdays:  Taizé Prayer, 8:00-8:30 p.m., Madonna della Strada Chapel
Join us for an ecumenical service of prayer, song, and silence.
 
Thursdays:  Thursday Night Student Mass, 9:00 p.m., Ignatius House Chapel
Join other students for this weekly celebration of the Eucharist.
 
Fridays:  St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Meet in Damen 232
Every Friday when classes are in session, a group of Loyola students join with Community Service and Action to volunteer at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen. Join us to prepare and serve a meal for guests. Full details are available here: https://www.luc.edu/serve/service/soupkitchen/.

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Ash Wednesday (February 14)
Both liturgies include the distribution of ashes:
11:30 a.m. Mass in St. James Chapel (Quigley Center, corner of Pearson & Rush)
5:30 p.m. Mass in Kasbeer Hall (15th floor of Corboy Law Center)

 

February 15-April 4:  Loyola Employees’ Busy Person Retreat, Throughout Lent, On Campus
The Busy Person retreat is open to all Loyola University employees during the season of Lent. Participants commit to weekly prayer and weekly spiritual direction. Mission Integration will provide prayer resources and spiritual direction introductions. Register by February 19, using this Busy Person Retreat Registration. For more information, please email Lauren Schwer, lschwer@luc.edu.

 

February 23:  Staying Best Friends (for graduate students), 6:00-7:30 p.m., LU's Deli & Pub in the Terry Student Center
Join Fr. Jerry to reflect on how three couples have experienced the stresses of graduate and professional studies on their relationship and strategies they took to address these challenges. Open to all graduate and professional students.

 

March 4-6:  Faculty Writing Retreat
Come focus on your own individual writing projects - whatever they may be (writing, editing, grading, planning, proposing, napping, reading, dreaming) - but in the context of Loyola's mission and community. While most of the time will be free and private, the group will come together each morning for a brief contemplative practice and each evening for some reflection and sharing on our vocation as educators and scholars. Each participant will have a private room and bathroom, meals and refreshments. Retreat will be held at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Barrington, IL. To register, please click on this link: Mission & Identity - Retreats (luc.edu). Questions, please email Lauren Schwer, lschwer@luc.edu.  

 

WEEKLY EVENTS

Sundays:  Mass, 7:00 p.m., All Saints Chapel (3rd Floor of Terry Student Center) 
Join others in this weekly celebration of the Eucharist.
 
Mondays:  Java with the Jesuit (Fr. Jerry Overbeck, SJ), 11:00 a.m. - Noon, Whole Foods Coffee Shop (corner of Chicago & State)
Join Fr. Jerry for coffee and conversation.  
 
Mondays:  Vino with the Vicar (Fr. Jerry Overbeck, SJ), 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Alpana (Pearson & State)
Join Fr. Jerry for wine, wit and wisdom.   
 
Tuesdays:  Mass at WTC, 12:10 p.m., All Saints Chapel (3rd Floor of Terry Student Center)
Join others in this weekly celebration of the Eucharist.
 
Wednesdays:  Java with the Jesuit (Fr. Jerry Overbeck, SJ), 11:00 a.m. - Noon, Whole Foods Coffee Shop (corner of Chicago & State)
Join Fr. Jerry for coffee and conversation. 
 
Fridays:  Java with the Jesuit (Fr. Jerry Overbeck, SJ), 11:00 a.m. - Noon, Whole Foods Coffee Shop (corner of Chicago & State)
Join Fr. Jerry for coffee and conversation. 
 
Fridays:  Vino with the Vicar (Fr. Jerry Overbeck, SJ), 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Alpana (Pearson & State)
Join Fr. Jerry for wine, wit and wisdom.   

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Ash Wednesday Services (Wed, Feb 14)
Eucharistic Liturgy with distribution of ashes: 12:00 p.m., Cuneo Atrium
Word Service with distribution of ashes: 3:15 p.m., Cuneo Atrium 
 
Stations of the Cross
Ash Wednesday to Easter (Feb 14 - Mar 31)
2nd Floor Hallway between Niehoff & Stritch
Meditate on the life and death of Jesus through the words of Scripture, art, and personal reflections from our Health Sciences Campus community. 
 
February 15-April 4:  Loyola Employees’ Busy Person Retreat, Throughout Lent, On Campus
The Busy Person Retreat is open to all Loyola University employees during the season of Lent. Participants commit to weekly prayer and weekly spiritual direction. Mission Integration will provide prayer resources and spiritual direction introductions. Register by February 19, using this Busy Person Retreat Registration. For more information, please email Lauren Schwer, lschwer@luc.edu
 
February 15-23:  Two Almsgiving Opportunities
Gently used book and magazine drive for Madden Mental Health Center. No violent or explicit content accepted. Drop off in HSC Ministry (Cuneo 270) until February 23. 
Laundry soap, baby wipes, sanitary napkins/pads, diapers (size 6), pull-ups (size 4t-5t) for Chicago Catholic Charities Women's Shelter, coordinated by Dermatology Interest Group. Drop off in HSC Ministry (Cuneo 270) until February 21. 
 
March 4-6:  Faculty Writing Retreat
Come focus on your own individual writing projects - whatever they may be (writing, editing, grading, planning, proposing, napping, reading, dreaming) - but in the context of Loyola's mission and community. While most of the time will be free and private, the group will come together each morning for a brief contemplative practice and each evening for some reflection and sharing on our vocation as educators and scholars. Each participant will have a private room and bathroom, meals and refreshments. Retreat will be held at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Barrington, IL. To register, please click on this link: Mission & Identity - Retreats (luc.edu). Questions, please email Lauren Schwer, lschwer@luc.edu.  
 
March 26: Spring Ignatian Spirituality Series 
We welcome all staff and faculty to join us on Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 p.m., lunch included.

Madonna della Strada Holy Week 

March 24, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Mass and Procession at 10:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Confessions from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
 
March 25, Monday of Holy Week
Mass at 12:00 noon
Via Crucis, Bilingual Outdoor Stations of the Cross at 6:30 p.m. (begins in the Chapel)
Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
 
March 26, Tuesday of Holy Week
Mass at 12:00 noon
Rosary at 9:00 p.m. 
 
March 27, Wednesday of Holy Week
Mass at 12:00 noon
Taize Evening Prayer at 8:00 p.m. 
 
March 28, Holy Thursday
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper at 5:00 p.m.
Chapel will be open for Eucharistic Adoration until midnight.
No other Masses will be celebrated on this day.
 
March 29, Good Friday
Celebration of the Passion of the Lord at 3:00 p.m.
No other liturgies will be celebrated on this day.
 
March 30, Holy Saturday
The Great Easter Vigil at 8:00 p.m. 
 
March 31, Easter Sunday
Mass at 10:30 a.m.
No other Masses or Confessions will be celebrated on this day.