Jesuits And Jena Six

Holy Spirit Mass meets social justice
Fr. Lawton delivers message of community
By: Danielle Corkhill
Posted: 9/24/07

A sea of black filled Sacred Heart Chapel this past Wednesday for the Mass of the Holy Spirit when LMU's mission for the promotion of justice met head on with its similarly proclaimed service of faith. While the purpose of the mass remained as it always has a blessing on the new academic year and a reflection of LMU's Catholic identity, this year's ceremony also shed light on the community's obligation to fight for justice in the world. The annual celebration corresponded with the nationwide protest in honor of the Jena 6, a civil rights case currently undergoing scrutiny in Louisiana. People were asked to wear black in support of the African American students on trial for what many are calling racially-motivated arrests. "The Church represents the cries for justice," said Fr. Robert Lawton, University President and presider of the mass, in his opening prayer. "Thank you to those representing the Jena 6 for reminding us of the greater world we struggle to serve." Student and faculty participants in the protest marched into the church together, sitting in a solid black block on the right side of Sacred Heart. LMU members who were also dressed in black were scattered throughout the pews, bonding together the community of the faithful."I felt very engaged in the mass this year because I felt both the presence of faith and justice," said Beth Shaw, a junior political science major and peace studies minor. "I marched from the Jena 6 protest up to mass, and to celebrate that in the context of Christ was very liberating. [The mass was] our fight for justice but also to celebrate the justice that already does exist." The notion of community was ephasized throughout the ceremony. Fr. Lawton stressed the need for both solitude and community in religion during his homily, as all of his Jesuit brothers listened patiently at the sides of the altar. The congregation of sharply dressed service organization members sat together behind the altar, facing the filled pews of attendees. The front seats were even occupied by leaders of differing faiths, reflecting their importance in our worldwide community. "The Mass of the Holy Spirit is really different from the regular Sunday mass because there were a lot more people who showed up, and there were a lot of people from other religions who were here," said freshman theology major Jose Martinez.The community also participated in the preparation and presentation of the mass. " I think it's a great opportunity that LMU allows students to be so active in Campus Ministry," said Adrian Cuevas, a junior political science and Spanish double major. Cuevas was the lector for the first reading. "It's a great feeling standing up there, seeing how many students do come to mass."Fr. Lawton's message to the University for this school year inspired many. He noted that throughout history, people go to hilltops to seek, speak and even struggle with God. "We," he said, "are that hilltop today."
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