MERRY CHRISTMAS VILLANOVA!

5:00 p.m. University Christmas Tree Lighting

Join in this annual community event at the Riley Ellipse and enjoy festive treats, a Blessing of the Children, performances from the Villanova Voices & Singers, a holiday light show, firepits and s'mores, and a special visit from Santa!

7:30 p.m. Villanova Dance Company and Ensemble Performance

Join the Villanova Dance Company and Ensemble for their end of semester show in the Topper Theatre, Mullen Center. Tickets required. 

3:00 p.m. Celebración de la Virgen de Guadalupe - Misa en Español y Cena de la Convivencia 

Please join Hispanic/Latine Ministry in celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. A Mass in Spanish will be held on Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church, followed by a procession to the Grotto with Mariachi and dinner with traditional Mexican food in Dougherty Hall East Lounge. All are welcome!

Sundays in St. Rita's

Join Villanova alum and current staff member in the Villanova School of Business—Chesley Turner, Director of the Church Management Program—to unpack the Advent season as a part of Sundays in St Rita’s. A great place to bring your questions about Catholicism and to form friendships rooted in faith, we will gather at 8pm in the St Rita Hall Community Room. All are welcome, and free food is always served.

12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Although this is not a holy day of obligation this year in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, all are welcome to attend the 12:05 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Masses in Corr Chapel for this special Marian feast day.

7:00 p.m. Advent Reconciliation Service

The Advent Reconciliation Service is a time that the University and Parish communities come together to celebrate the light of God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be time for reflecting on the Scriptures, examining one’s conscience, and individual confessions. This service will take place in St. Thomas of Villanova Church.

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Advent Retreat - Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students

This retreat is an opportunity to pause and consider the themes of Advent with colleagues during this busy time of year. This year we will be considering how the season of Advent offers us an occasion to reflect on beginnings and endings, in our lives, in the liturgical year, in the academic year and in our world. Hosted by the Center for Spirituality and Outreach of the Office for Mission and Ministry. This program is free to attend. Please register by Friday, Dec. 6. and visit the retreat website for more information. 

Villanova Dining's Annual End of Semester Dinner

Dining’s annual End of Semester Dinner will take place in Donahue, Dougherty, and St. Mary’s Dining Halls. The event will feature a surf & turf menu along with a festive dessert extravaganza. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Holiday Village and Night Market

This annual tradition, the Holiday Village and Night Market, will feature carriage rides, food trucks, local vendors, photo ops, entertainment and more. Come shop, eat, and be merry at the Riley Ellipse for this festive Villanova event!

We invite all attendees to support the Nova Nook by donating essential items including toiletries and other necessities for Villanova students who struggle to manage these costs on their own. Collection of donated items will take place during the event from 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM at the Nova Nook tent on the Riley Ellipse. Additionally, Nova Nook representatives will be selling Villanova Christmas mugs! 100% of sales will go directly to the Nova Nook. For more information, visit novanook.villanova.edu.

5:00 p.m. Light in the Darkness: A Multifaith Celebration

During the Holiday Village and Night Market, join us at The Grove firepits by Mendel Field with friends of varied faith traditions to affirm the light of love, strength, and peace that shines in the dark places of our lives and our world.

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Grad Student Holiday Bingo

The Grad Center is hosting its annual Christmas Bingo in the Grad Center Lounge, Vasey Hall room G13. Celebrate the holiday season with fellow grad students during this night filled with music, food & drinks, laughter, and prizes. Register here!

7:00 p.m. End of Semester Mass

Rejoice! The End of Semester Mass takes place this year on Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday, when we light the third candle of the advent wreath and anticipate the joy of Christmas. Join Fr. Peter and members of the Villanova community for this special liturgy to thank God for this semester. Mass will end with a brief procession to bless the campus nativity scene, followed by cookies and hot chocolate.