LENTEN OFFERINGS

The season of Lent is a time of reflection and preparation in Christian communities throughout the world. The Office for Mission and Ministry invites the Villanova community to join in any of these many ways to learn, pray and act.

March 5—Ash Wednesday 12:05 p.m. Mass and 3 p.m. Ecumenical Service: March 5 in St. Thomas of Villanova Church. Both will include the distribution of ashes.

Lenten Reflections: Let daily reflections written by members of the Villanova community inspire you on your Lenten Journey. To receive daily emails, beginning on March 5 and ending on Easter Sunday, April 20, subscribe here. Our digital flipbook is available here.
Advocacy Month “On the March” advocacy events held during March 2025; sponsored by the Center for Peace and Justice Education
March 16—La Celebración de San Óscar Romero/Celebration of Saint Oscar Romero. March 24, 2025, marks the 45th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Archbishop Romero was an outspoken advocate for justice and the poor in El Salvador. He was shot and killed while celebrating Mass in 1980. His last words were, "May God have mercy on the assassin.” We will come together to commemorate his life and legacy. Misa en español/Mass in Spanish (Corr Chapel, 3 p.m.) Cena de la Convivencia/Fellowship Dinner (Dougherty East Lounge, 4 p.m.)
March 16—Sundays in St. Rita (St. Rita Community Room, 8 p.m.) “Called to be Saints…Even Me? Our Call to Holiness” with Dr. Beth Hassel, PBVM
March 17-28—Busy Wildcat Retreat
March 18—Vigil in Solidarity with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants (Peace Pole outside St. Rita Hall, 4:30 p.m.)
March 18-26—National NOVENA for Migrants and Immigrants led by Bishops, including Archbishop Nelson Perez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Register here.
March 21—St. Rita of Cascia Day of Service: 9 a.m. to noon in the St. Rita of Cascia Community Room, St. Rita Hall. Information is available by emailing commongood@villanova.edu to learn about the donation of supplies.
March 25—Weekly Vigil for the Vulnerable begins. A brief gathering each Tuesday afternoon,12:45 to 1 p.m. at the Peace Pole outside of St. Rita Hall.
March 25—screening of the film Cabrini, 5:15 p.m. Connelly Cinema, followed by a panel discussion. Free admission, ACS approved.
March 27—Oscar Romero Solidarity Lecture with Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ (St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 7 p.m.)
March 28—Lenten Concert of Sacred Music, The Road Home. Villanova Pastoral Musicians. St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 7 p.m. Free admission, all are welcome.
March 30—Sundays in St. Rita (St. Rita Community Room, 8 p.m.) “God’s Love in Our Hearts (Rom. 5:5): The Holy Spirit and Our Spiritual Lives” with Dr. Jennifer Jackson
April 4—Faculty/Staff Half-day Lenten Retreat, 9 -11:30 a.m. St. Rita Hall Community Room. Coffee at 9 a.m., Retreat begins at 9:30. Register here to attend and learn more information.
April 10—El Via Crucis de Jesus Migrante/The Way of the Cross of the Migrant Jesus, (Rowen Campus Green in front of Corr Hall, 6:15 p.m.) Join us for a bilingual Stations of the Cross to reflect on the harsh reality of the migration experience.
April 13—Domingo de Ramos/Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of La Semana Santa (Holy Week), and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.

Misa en español/Mass in Spanish (Corr Chapel, 3 p.m.) Palms will be blessed and distributed before Mass. Cena de la Convivencia/Fellowship Dinner (TBA, 4 p.m.) Palm leaf cross directions will be distributed during dinner

Mass in English (St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 5, 7, and 9 p.m.) Palms will be blessed and distributed.
April 13—Sundays in St. Rita (St. Rita Community Room, 8 p.m.) “Renewing Reconciliation: Why Catholics Need Not Fear Confession” with Fr. Bill Gabriel
April 14—Evening Communal Reconciliation Service with St. Thomas of Villanova Parish (St. Thomas of Villanova Church, time TBD)

RECURRING EVENTS
Sunday liturgies: Misa en español (Corr Chapel, 3 p.m.); Mass (St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 5, 7 and 9 p.m.)
Daily Mass (Corr Chapel, 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, when classes are in session)
Mindfulness Mondays (St. Rita Multifaith Prayer Room or on Zoom, Mondays 1 p.m.)
Centering Prayer (St. Rita Multifaith Prayer Room or on Zoom, Tuesdays at 1 p.m.)
Sacrament of Reconciliation in St. Thomas of Villanova Church: Tuesday and Wednesday 3:30-4:30 p.m. and Thursday 8-9 p.m.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Thomas of Villanova Church: Thursday 8-9 p.m.
Rosary for Pope Francis during this time while he battles serious illness: 5 p.m. weekdays in Corr Chapel when classes are in session
Stations of the Cross: Fridays in Lent (March 21 and 28; April 4 and 11) 2 p.m. in St. Thomas of Villanova Church.