75th annual celebration of Laetare Sunday
Boston College’s 75th annual celebration of Laetare Sunday, marking the midway point of the penitential season, will take place on March 15 in Conte Forum with an address by Vice President for Student Affairs Shawna Cooper Whitehead.
Shawna Cooper Whitehead (Lee Pellegrini)
Laetare Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent and is the oldest tradition of the BC Alumni Association. University President William P. Leahy, S.J., will preside over Mass beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed immediately by a celebratory brunch and Cooper Whitehead’s talk.
“Laetare Sunday, situated in the heart of Lent, invites us into joy. Not a superficial joy, but a deep and abiding hope grounded in our faith,” said Cooper Whitehead. “At Boston College, our Jesuit, Catholic heritage calls us to be women and men for and with others, to pursue excellence in all things, and to remain attentive to the needs of our community and the world.
“In Student Affairs, we are privileged to accompany students in their intellectual, spiritual, and personal formation. Celebrations like Laetare Sunday remind us that our work is not only about programs and services but also about cultivating belonging, purpose, and a faith that does justice. It is an honor to reflect with our community on how joy sustains us, even in challenging times.”
Cooper Whitehead, who joined BC in 2021, serves as a member on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators James E. Scott Academy Board—the professional network for the field of student affairs. She holds a doctoral degree in education from Boston University, a master’s degree in education from National Louis University, and a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Illinois.
Brunch will be complimentary for members of the class of 1976 and their guests, all current BC students, and children 12 years or younger. The event is free for all BC students, but pre-registration by March 9 is required. To register, go to bc.edu/laetare. For questions about the event, email bcspirit@bc.edu or call 617-552-1607.