Photo by Caitlin Cunningham

University President William P. Leahy, S.J., will celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sept. 7 at noon in Conte Forum.

All members of the University community are invited to attend the Mass, a tradition for the opening of the school year at Jesuit institutions dating back to the Middle Ages. Classes are cancelled that day from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Graduate student Peter Folan, S.J., MDiv/STL '13 will be the homilist; music will be provided by BC's Liturgy Arts Group.

The fire used at the First Year Academic Convocation "First Flight" ceremony will be blessed during the Mass. At the completion of the liturgy, the fire will be carried in procession to Linden Lane, where it will be used that evening when Boston College's first-year students are challenged to "Go set the world aflame."

The Mass of the Holy Spirit is organized by the Office of Campus Ministry in the Division of University Mission and Ministry.

Kathleen Sullivan | University Communications