Regis Community Celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit

The Regis community gathered today at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola to celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, a cherished tradition in Jesuit education. The Mass was also the first opportunity for the Class of 2030 to join the broader Regis community in prayer.

Regis President Rev. Christopher Devron, SJ, served as the primary celebrant and was joined on the altar by history and Latin teacher Rev. Arthur Bender, SJ, '67; Vice President for Ignatian Identity and Formation Rev. Kevin Spinale, SJ; Major Gifts Officer and Special Assistant to the President Rev. Vincent Marchionni, SJ; trustee Rev. Brendan Gottschall, SJ; and former Vice President for Ignatian Identity and Formation Rev. James Ferus, SJ. Sixty students volunteered as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, musicians, ushers, and gift bearers.

"In this Mass, we ask the Holy Spirit to stir its flame, the gift that God has fully given to each of us," said Fr. Devron in his homily, which reflected on Regis's apostolic theme for this year, "Take Courage." "We ask not to become fearless, but to become faithful. Not invulnerable, but open to grace. Not powerful for our own sake, but courageous enough to love and to serve."

He continued, "The journey before us will not always be easy. I promise you, it won’t. Our minds and hearts will not always be calm. There will be voices along the way that tempt us to forget who we are, and to whom we belong. But we do not make this journey alone. Christ has travelled beside us. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. And this Regis community, this community of faith, animated by the Holy Spirit, surrounds us and holds us fast. So take courage, not because we are strong enough to overcome the world, but because Christ has overcome the world, and through the gift of His Holy Spirit, His courage can become our own."