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.

• 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 is the final Sunday of Lent, marking the beginning of La Semana Santa (Holy Week), and commemorates the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem days before his crucifixion.

• 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. (Food truck at The Grove, 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” panel discussion with Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, Mat Verghese and Meghan Dietzler.
   

• April 14—Monday of Holy Week
  The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated throughout the afternoon in St. Thomas of Villanova Church. From 3-7 p.m., the Sacrament will be available during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and again at 7 p.m. during our Communal Reconciliation Service. All are welcome as we enter together into this sacred time of grace and reconciliation. 
  
  
• April 15—Tuesday of Holy Week
  Daily Mass (Corr Chapel, 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.)

         Weekly Vigil for the Vulnerable, 12:45-1 p.m. at the Peace Pole, St. Rita Hall 

• April 16—Wednesday of Holy Week
  Daily Mass (Corr Chapel, 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.)
  
  
• April 17—Holy Thursday
  No campus liturgies. Easter break begins.

Easter Break for the University starts on Holy Thursday and concludes on Tuesday, April 22, when classes resume. The Parish will hold liturgies for the Triduum and Easter through Monday, April 21, 2025. For information and schedules, consult the Parish website.

LENTEN OFFERINGS 2025

• 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.

• 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) at 2 p.m. in St. Thomas of Villanova Church.