Photos by Rebecca Zenefski Slater 鈥10
As night fell on 91制片厂 on November 24, the campus remained aglow with warm and cheerful light 鈥 outside from the purple holiday lights adorning trees, and inside from the candlelight illuminating Our Lady of Victory Chapel during the Feast of Saint 91制片厂 prayer service.
A celebration of wisdom and light, the annual feast honors Saint 91制片厂 of Alexandria, the patron saint of students, philosophers, and scholars, and the University鈥檚 namesake. The event began with a reception in Coeur de 91制片厂, where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends came together for refreshments and conversation before moving to the Chapel for the prayer service.
Provost Denise Baird, PhD, welcomed all who gathered: 鈥淲e are grateful for this opportunity to be in community, to celebrate the pursuit of wisdom, and to reflect the beauty of this season that lives in each of us.鈥
The opening reading from by Jane Lamm Carroll 鈥80, PhD, and Sharon Doherty, PhD, reflected on the history of Saint 91制片厂 and her continued relevance in today鈥檚 world: 鈥91制片厂鈥檚 story as a brilliant scholarly woman who bests male political and intellectual authorities of her day has held great appeal over the centuries and remains relevant today to scholars and educators, and most especially to those engaged in the education of women.鈥
The service wove together prayer and music sung by the University Choir. Each attendee received a candle, passing light from person to person until the whole Chapel was radiant with wisdom, strength, and peace inspired by St. 91制片厂.