“Do not sing ‘Victory!’ yet, do not celebrate victory too soon! It remains necessary to carefully follow the rules in force, because they are rules that help us prevent the virus from advancing.”
—Pope Francis, Angelus, 6/7/2020
Catholic Worship at Villanova University
Liturgies Under "Slow the Spread" Directives
All Sunday Evening Masses in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church will be limited to 50 in-person attendees (campus community members only).
Pre-registration is required (no standby line or walk-ins).
All Masses will also be available via livestream.
See below for schedules and other details.
Each week, you may ask yourself, "Should I go to Mass in person?" Be sure you do the following:
Refer to the Return to Campus Plan, including health and safety measures.
Monitor daily your symptoms, including temperature (see the CDC self-checker).
If you have one or more symptoms, are vulnerable to COVID-19, have recently traveled or need to quarantine for any reason, stay home.
Villanova will livestream two Sunday Masses every weekend during the fall semester. See "University Mass Schedule" below for dates and times. Recordings will be posted.
You may also view a livestream from St. Thomas of Villanova Parish.
Tempted to flop on your bed and "watch" Mass like it's a Netflix show? Here are some tips to help you more fully and reverently enter into the mystery of faith from your room.
Get "dressed" for church, whatever that looks like for you.
Set up a prayer table. Spread a cloth on your desk. Open a Bible to the day's Gospel or pull up the readings on your phone. Jot down petitions and put them in a bowl. Add a cross, rosary, plant or photo of loved ones.
Enter the experience bodily. Sit, stand, bow your head, bless yourself. Pray aloud. Listen. Respond. Rest in God's love.
We know them by the first lines: Glory to God. Holy, holy, holy. When we eat this bread. Lamb of God. These are key prayers in the liturgy, but sometimes all the words don't come to us without music. Use these texts as a worship aid.
At the end is a Prayer for Spiritual Communion written for the Villanova community. When we can't receive Eucharist, we can be united spiritually with the Body of Christ.
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
The English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Great are You, O Lord, and worthy of all praise.
You have made us and drawn us to Yourself,
And our heart is restless,
Longing for Your Presence.
Though we cannot now all gather in person,
Still, You ceaselessly call us around Your table,
Where the mystery of our life in You is offered.
Even now, while we cannot receive you sacramentally,
We pray that You pour Your love into our hearts.
As many grains form one loaf,
And many grapes, one cup,
So we may be one body in Christ.
Grant that Your love may animate our lives,
And sustain us in mind and heart in our journey towards You
That, with Augustine and all the saints,
We may make our “Amen” true.
Amen.
Pre-register for the Mass you plan to attend (you can do this step beginning the previous Monday). Maximum in-person attendance: 50 (open only to members of the campus community).
Use the bathroom (church restrooms will be unlocked only for emergencies).
Practice good personal hygiene, including handwashing.
Wear a mask.
Print your e-ticket or have it ready on your phone.
Plan to arrive 20 minutes before Mass begins.
Keep your mask on at all times.
Have your e-ticket for scanning.
Once you are admitted through the main doors, use the sanitizing station and follow the directions of the ushers for physically distant seating. Note. If you enter with your roommate, you will be able to sit together.
If possible, please stay in your seats until the end of Mass. Restrooms will be unlocked only for emergencies.
Sing with your heart, not your vocal cords. We will not sing as a congregation. Refer to these texts for prayers you are used to singing.
Say it with a nod, not a clasp. We will omit holding hands, passing the collection basket and other forms of physical contact. Note. A collection basket will be placed at the entrance.
At the Communion Rite, follow the instructions given regarding the reception of Communion or a blessing.
After ministers have processed, keep physically distant when exiting.
Leave through the main doors.
Avoid congregating inside or outside of the church so that the building can be sanitized and aired out.
Pre-register to attend Sunday Mass in person; see "Participate in Person" above for details.
Saturdays (Anticipatory Mass in Spanish)
5:30 PM | Corr Chapel
Sundays
Every Mass will be livestreamed. Maximum in-person attendance per Mass is 50.
3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM | St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Monday–Friday
12:05 PM and 5:30 PM | Corr Chapel (limited attendance)
View the calendar of upcoming liturgies.
Guidelines
For spring 2021, confessions will take place in the Saint Monica Room. (To reach it, enter the main doors of church, turn left, walk toward the side wall and make another left.) You have the option of celebrating anonymously or "masked" face to face. Please be sure to
Maintain six feet of distance, including in line and during confession.
Wear your mask at all times (so still speak softly but extra clearly).
Try to keep you confession to five minutes (ten max); if you need more in-depth spiritual direction or support, please email Linda Jaczynski.
Use the wipes provided to sanitize your chair, kneeler, etc.
Schedule
Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 3:30–4:30 PM
Thursdays | 8–9 PM
By appointment: Please email Joseph Calderone, OSA, or Aldo Potencio, OSA.
We invite you to connect in spirit with other Villanovans through virtual devotions and personal reflection.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Mondays, 7-8PM | St. Thomas of Villanova Church (resumes 2/8)
Submit a Prayer Intention
Whatever is on your mind or heart, your Villanova community will lift it up in prayer. Submit your petitions to be remembered at ourCentering Prayer twice a week. Note. Names and requests are not shared aloud or posted publicly.
Spend Time With Scripture
Read or listen to the daily readings and watch video reflections at the US Bishops’ website.
Journey With Augustine
Set aside time each week for video meditations presented by Art Purcaro, OSA, and based on Augustine's Confessions.
Find a Homily
Texts of Sunday homilies from Augustinians are available on the Province website.
Liturgy Questions?
Contact Mathew Verghese.
Augustinian Vocations
Are you or is someone you know discerning a call to be a religious priest or brother? Learn more about vocations to the Order of St. Augustine.