Buffalo, NY - The Canisius University community gathered in prayer and reflection on Wednesday, September 10 for the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit. The centuries-old Jesuit tradition marks the sacred beginning of the academic year.
Faculty, staff and students of all faith traditions filled Christ the King Chapel for the special liturgy, which invokes the Holy Spirit's guidance, wisdom and inspiration for the year ahead. Classes were canceled to allow the entire campus community to participate in this meaningful tradition observed by Jesuit education institutions worldwide.
The celebration began with a formal academic procession (pictured, right) through the campus Quad to the chapel, with faculty dressed in full academic regalia and led by a ceremonial bagpiper. Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain for mission and ministry, presided over the Mass, which differs from traditional liturgies by incorporating readings and prayers focused on academic and spiritual growth. The service emphasized the gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, courage and knowledge - qualities considered essential to the Jesuit educational mission.
Canisius students delivered the readings in different languages, reflecting the Mass of the Holy Spirit's embrace of all faith traditions. The first reading, from Leviticus, called the community to "treat the stranger who resides with you" with equality and love, and to embrace everyone with the same care and dignity - a message that reflects Canisius' commitment to welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians celebrated the diversity of gifts within a unified community, teaching that each person holds different talents and abilities, but "it is the same God who activates them in everyone" and that all are called to use those gifts in service to others.
Deacon Gary Andelora delivered the Gospel reading from Luke, which told of Jesus instructing his disciples to go forth "like lambs among wolves" with courage and trust in God's power, emphasizing the boldness required to live out one's faith and values in the world.
In his homily, Father Betti wove the story of a hand-carved crucifix, displayed prominently in Christ the King Chapel, into his message as an example of the past, present and future of the school's Ignatian identity.
He explained that in 1948, the Jesuit faculty informed the student body that Canisius College of Berlin, Germany was desperately struggling to rebuild from the ruins of post-war devastation. "Buildings were in shambles and students literally had no shoes, proper clothes, food or supplies." The Canisius students in Buffalo organized a fund drive to ship clothes, coats, shoes and supplies along with money raised to their fellow Canisius students in Berlin. The Canisius Sodality of Our Lady continued an annual drive for several years to supply their German counterparts.
In gratitude for this generosity, the Jesuits in Berlin commissioned a respected wood carver to create a crucifix as a gift to their Buffalo donors.
For many generations, the crucifix and a memorial plaque hung in an obscure corner of Bagen Hall. During recent upgrades to the building, it was suggested to place the memorial in a more prominent spot, which was determined to be Christ the King Chapel.
The Berlin Cross is now visible as soon as one enters the Chapel, bearing a small plaque that reads, "In gratitude from the men of Canisius College Berlin to the men of Canisius College Buffalo, 1950."
The Mass of the Holy Spirit represents one of Canisius University's most cherished traditions, dating back to the university's founding by German Jesuits in 1870.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
