Multifaith Worship

Villanova's Augustinian heritage embraces the search for meaning at the heart of the human journey. We seek to deepen the identities and practices of people of all faith backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify religiously, through open, honest dialogue and interaction. 

 

Multifaith Engagement and Worship

The area surrounding Villanova is home to many wonderful communities offering prayer and worship. We offer students of different faith backgrounds many ways to pray, worship and interact with each other and with faculty, staff and community leaders. Multifaith events include:

  • Dinners
  • Retreats
  • Our popular Human Library

For info about transportation and other opportunities, please contact the Rev. Julie Sheetz.

Interfaith Events

A lit lamp placed on a table with a lighter and prayer sheets

Villanova hosts many non-denominational faith events throughout the year. At these events, you have the opportunity to learn about many diverse faiths, beliefs and practices while engaging with the Villanova community.

You’ve never read a book like this before!  At the Human Library, check out a “human book”—faculty, staff and community leaders of diverse faith backgrounds (Muslim, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Sikh, Baha’i)—to learn about their beliefs and practices. Held every semester in Falvey Library. 

The Fall Human Library will be held Tuesday, October 24, 4:30-6:00 PM in the Speakers' Corner of Falvey Library.

The Interfaith Justice Cohort (IJC) is a yearlong opportunity for interfaith dialogue through a social justice lens. Cohort members will learn together the different ways faith traditions or worldviews frame and foster the pursuit of economic justice. 

Apply for the 2023-24 IJC.

Monthly gatherings offer the opportunity to learn about and experience contemplative practices from diverse faith traditions.

Mindfulness: September 12 at 4:00pm, Dougherty East Lounge

Poetry and Nasheed in the Islamic Tradition: October 18 at 6:00pm, St. Rita Multifaith Prayer Room

Centering Prayer: November 15, 4:00pm, St. Rita Multifaith Prayer Room

Multifaith Celebration of Light: December 11, the Grove

Typically held in the spring semester, this retreat offers a unique chance to learn firsthand about the beliefs and practices of different religious traditions through site visits to area faith communities. Participants will also begin to develop skills in interfaith dialogue.

Students of all faith backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify as religious but are interested in learning, are welcome to attend.

Prayer, Spiritual Practices and Worship on Campus

Muslim Prayer

Jummah Prayer is held every Friday during the school year at 1:45 PM. In Fall 2023, Jummah will be held in the Prayer Room, Second Floor, John Barry Hall until fall break. After fall break, we will gather in the St. Rita's Hall Multifaith Prayer Room. 

For more info, contact Asheq Fazlullah, the Muslim Student Adviser.

Mindfulness Meditation

We invite you to join us for Mindfulness Mondays from 1-1:30pm in the Devon Room, Connelly Center or on Zoom. For more information, see the Spirituality web page. Each session is facilitated by a member of the Villanova community. Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.

Catholic Worship

All are welcome to join in Catholic Worship on Sundays or at daily Mass. Current schedules can be found on the Catholic Worship web page.

Off-Campus Prayer & Worship

  Name Location
African Methodist Episcopal Bethel AME Church of Bryn Mawr 50 South Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Bethel AME Church of Ardmore 163 Sheldon Lane
Ardmore, PA 19003
American Baptist Central Baptist Church 106 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
Lower Merion Baptist Church 911 New Gulph Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Anglo-Catholic (Traditional) Church of the Good Shepherd 1116 E Lancaster Ave
Rosemont, PA 10910
Buddhist Soka Gakkai International - Philadelphia 2000 Hamilton St.
Suite 210
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Won Buddhism of Philadelphia 423 Abington Ave.
Glenside, PA 19038
Christian (Non-denominational) Six:Eight Vineyard Church 1116 Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Resurrection Philadelphia 123 S. 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Church of the Saviour 651 N. Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
Hope Community Church 150 East Beidler Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Coptic Orthodox St. George Coptic Orthodox Church 411 Dekalb St.
Norristown, PA 19401
Episcopal Christ Church Ithan 536 Conestoga Rd
Villanova, PA 19085
Church of the Redeemer 230 Pennswood Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
St. David's Episcopal Church 763 South Valley Forge Rd
Wayne, PA 19087
Saint Mary's Episcopal Church 104 Louella Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087
Greek Orthodox Saint George Antiochian 8210 West Chester Pike
Upper Darby, PA 19082
Hindu Bharatiya Temple 1612 County Line Road
Chalfont, PA, 18914
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha  1561 Woodbourne Road
Levittown, PA
Jewish Temple Beth Hillel Beth El (Conservative) Lancaster Avenue & Remington Road
Wynnewood, PA
Temple Brith Achim (Reform) 481 South Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19087
Main Line Reform Temple 410 Montgomery Ave.
Wynnewood, PA 19096
Methodist-United Methodist Wayne United Methodist Church 210 S. Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
Radnor United Methodist Church 930 Conestoga Road
Rosemont, PA 19010
St. Luke United Methodist Church 568 Montgomery Ave.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Muslim Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge 958 N Valley Forge Rd
Devon, PA 19333
The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship (Sufi) 5820 Overbrook Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Presbyterian-EPC Grace Covenant Church 275 S. Ithan Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Presbyterian-PCA

 

Renewal Presbyterian Church

4633 Cedar Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Presbyterian-PCUSA Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church 625 Montgomery Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Wayne Presbyterian Church 125 E. Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
Ardmore Presbyterian Church 5 W. Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
Society of Friends (Quaker) Radnor Friends Meeting 610 Conestoga Rd.
Villanova, PA 19085
Unitarian Universalist Main Line Unitarian Church 816 S Valley Forge Rd
Devon, PA 19333-1825
United Church of Christ Gulph United Church of Christ 100 Matson Ford Road
Gulph Mills, PA 19428

Fill out the Multifaith Survey to let us know how we can support you in your journey.

Throughout the year, members of the Villanova community are invited to join in celebrating holidays of diverse faith traditions, including:

  • Jewish High Holidays
  • Diwali (Hindu)
  • Purim (Jewish)
  • Holi (Hindu)
  • Ramadan Iftars (Muslim)