The pews of St. John’s church were almost filled; the candles were lit; and the smell of incense was strong Sept. 17 as faculty, staff and students gathered together to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit.
All 11 a.m. classes were cancelled to allow this celebration to take place. The Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., the president of Creighton, presided over the Mass, and Creighton’s community of Jesuits accompanied him.
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is celebrated at the beginning of every school year to “seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in the coming year,” according to the worship guides given at the Mass.
“Catholic universities, from the foundation of universities in the Middle Ages, have recognized and honored the Catholic tradition that the Holy Spirit is the seed of all wisdom and knowledge,” said Eileen Burke-Sullivan, the vice provost of mission and ministry.
“Since the university is about the pursuit of truth and wisdom, we turn to the Holy Spirit when we begin a project to invite the Holy Spirit to move our intellects, move our memory, move our wills toward the knowledge of truth.”
In his homily to the Creighton community, Lannon focused on a few of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, specifically understanding, courage and hope.
He asked the community to try to understand who God is calling them to be and what he is calling them to do. He encouraged everyone to find his or her place at Creighton and on campus.
He spoke of courage in relation to promoting justice. Justice is an important value to those in the Creighton community.
“Have the courage to speak out when it comes to addressing injustices,” Lannon said.
Finally, he encouraged the community to have hope in the coming year, in themselves and in others.
He ended his homily by praying for the community to grow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially understanding, courage and hope.
The tradition of the Mass of the Holy Spirit is not a new one. In the early Church, communities celebrated the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“It is clear in the Christian movement from day one that we understand Jesus and we really get what God is and who God is because the Holy Spirit moves us,” Burke-Sullivan said.
A Mass of the Holy Spirit has been celebrated from the first establishment of a Jesuit institution in 1548.
“Creighton has celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit every year since its founding in 1878,” Burke-Sullivan said.
The Mass of the Holy Spirit also helps us celebrate the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit.
“[The Christian wisdom tradition is] about life; it’s about flourishing; it’s about becoming a really fully peaceful and happy human being,” Burke-Sullivan said. “This kind of ritual tradition opens our hearts to ask the core questions, ‘Who am I?’ ‘Why am I here?’ ‘What do I want to do?’ ‘What makes me happy?’”
The Rev. Timothy R. Lannon celebrates the Mass of the Holy Spirit.