Timothy Johnston, retreat leader and assistant director of Campus Ministry. During the rite, leaders took turns anointing the foreheads, eyes, ears and hands of the students. “This service was a time to celebrate our own life in Christ,” said Johnston, “and
SALT& LIGHT prayer and allowing God to enter into and facilitate that prayer.” The service concluded with a communal litany of healing during which students gathered in a circle around the cross to support each other with prayers for perseverance and strength. “Receive the sign of the cross on your ears,” Father Hadley told the gathered students, “that you may hear the voice of the Lord.” The smells of perfume and grape seed oil wafted through the chapel during a rite of anointing as individuals renewed their baptismal promises. It was Saturday night of the Salt & Light Retreat, and after a long day of journeying and waiting, one emotion dominated. “Joy erupted in the group because we had walked through the other pieces and we came to a point in our reflection together where we could say, ‘This is the risen Christ that we’re celebrating,’” said
recommit ourselves to living out our baptismal promises.” Though the retreat weekend ended the following day, Campus Ministry began offering an abbreviated format called Salt & Light Nights to help students continue connecting throughout the academic weeks that followed. Initial programming included the four-week Tuesday night Lenten series “The Joy of Waffles & the Gospel.” Each week, more than 60 students enjoyed the waffle bar and kept the conversation flowing. ❍
The Edward D. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund distributes modest grants to finance small projects or provide seed money for programs or events that deepen the Catholic, Jesuit identity of Marquette University.
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