As a new year begins at Mercyhurst University, our community united in prayer this past Thursday, Sept. 12, celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit at Christ the King Chapel.

The Mass was presided by the Rev. Dan Horan, OFM, and concelebrated by Msgr. David Rubino and the Rev. James Piszker, the university’s chaplain.

Later that day, the guest celebrant gave a lecture at Taylor Little Theatre: “The Saint and the Pope: The Significance of Two Men Named Francis for the Church and World.”

Caitlyn Merkel photo: Students, faculty, and other members of the Mercyhurst community gathered at the Mass of the Holy Spirit to celebrate and pray for a successful 2013-14 academic year.

Christ the King Chapel Choir, directed by Daniel Cabanillas along with the D’Angelo School of Music concert choir, directed by Rebecca Ryan, delighted the attendees with their interpretations throughout the Mass.

During the Preparation of Gifts, the Mercyhurst Liturgical Dance Ensemble, directed by Katherine Boatright, performed a special piece to the choir’s interpretation of “Old Hundredth.”

Faculty members interpreted the Pentecost Sequence in Spanish, French, German, Bengali, Chinese and Nepali.

As part of the tradition, following the Mass, a picnic was held on the front lawn of the Chapel, where students, faculty and other attendees gathered to share a moment and meet new members joining our university.

This Jesuit tradition was implemented at our university in the mid 1990s and since then it has been a tradition at the beginning of every academic year at Mercyhurst, according to Piszker.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit brings the Mercyhurst community together in prayer every year where students and faculty receive a blessing for a successful year at Mercyhurst University.

For more information, visit the Campus Ministry office on the main level of the Student Union.