Mass of the Holy Spirit 2025
Beginning the Academic Year in Prayer
Students, faculty, and staff gathered under blue skies to pray for wisdom, strength, and unity as Saint Francis University opened the 2025-2026 academic year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit on the Campus Mall. While the service is now a 12-year tradition at the university, President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., reminded the University community that the Mass of the Holy Spirit is more than a ceremonial start to the semester. It is a votive Mass—a liturgy offered with a specific focus. At Saint Francis, that focus is the Spirit of Wisdom, “the spirit that we want to have bestowed on us through the course of the academic year.”
“We’re asking the Holy Spirit to remove all doubt and fear. We’re asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and unify us in a common purpose — a common purpose not just education or the seeking of wisdom, but the common purpose of having an encounter with Jesus Christ while at Saint Francis University. Everything we do here should lead to an encounter with the living Christ,” Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, Homily
A Tradition of Faith and Learning
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a longstanding Catholic academic tradition observed around the world. Its prayers call down the guidance of the Holy Spirit, asking for the gifts of wisdom, understanding, and courage. At Catholic universities, it serves as a reminder that education is not only about intellectual growth, but also about spiritual and personal formation.
Yesterday’s liturgy embodied the Catholic Franciscan values at the heart of Saint Francis University's mission—welcoming all members of the campus community into prayer, song, and reflection. Fr. Malachi emphasized that Saint Francis is a “community of learners,” where each person has something to teach and something to learn. By sharing our gifts and imitating the good we see in each other, we live out the Franciscan vision of brotherhood and service.
Living the Spirit’s Gifts
As we look ahead to the year, the Mass invites the community to keep alive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives:
- Wisdom and Knowledge to pursue truth in every classroom and lab.
- Understanding and Counsel to guide decisions with compassion and integrity.
- Fortitude and Piety to strengthen our commitment to service and prayer.
- Reverence to live with gratitude for one another and for God’s creation.
A Year of Unity and Purpose
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is more than an opening ceremony—it is a call to unity, reminding those in attendance that each person plays an important role in the shared mission of Saint Francis University. By beginning the academic year in prayer, the University reaffirms its commitment to seek truth, live with purpose, and support one another in faith and friendship.
As the echoes of yesterday’s hymns fade, may the Spirit continue to inspire us throughout this academic year.