By Zoebelle Bean, Catholic Editor
Attendees gathering after the Writer’s Mass – Photo by Caroline Jones
Saint Francis de Sales is the patron saint of educators, journalists and writers. He was celebrated during his feast day on Friday, Jan. 24 when the Writing Center at Aquinas College sponsored the 12:15 p.m. Mass at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
The “Writer’s Mass,” as it is less formally known as, celebrated both St. Francis de Sales and the writing community on Aquinas campus. This Mass was especially important because it recognized writing on an academic level and the unique opportunities of writing at a higher educational institution. Writers from all disciplines were encouraged to attend and come to experience the grace of God in their writing lives.
“It was a gift to gather in faith as a writing community,” Julie Bevins said. “Students, faculty, staff and local community members were at Mass, and Father Bob’s homily was an encouraging reminder that, as Saint Francis de Sales often said, our path to holiness is in our everyday lives—in our friendships, our studies, our work, our families, our words and our actions.”
Julie Bevins and writing center consultants at Mass – Photo by Caroline Jones
Father Bob Keller, O.P., presided at the Mass and delivered a homily centered around his experience as a pharmacist. He didn’t recognize pharmacy as a way to holiness until after he became a priest, where he realized that the call to holiness can be found in many different ways through the same Spirit. “Saint Francis de Sales was particularly aware [of this call] and said all people are called to discover this in their own lives because there is something graced and supernatural about it,” Fr. Bob said. He encouraged the congregation to discover their own gifts and calls to holiness through their various works in writing, whether that be as a writer, a teacher or otherwise.
“It was nice to see the church full of people coming together to celebrate something we all appreciate,” freshman Anna O’Neill said. “When I discussed with people after Mass, I learned a lot about Saint Francis de Sales and his writings, as well as how they tie in with the work done by the AQ Writing Center. It was a lovely Mass, and I’m glad I got to participate in it, even if I had no idea it was specifically for writers until I got there.”
The Mass ended with a prayer from St. Francis de Sales:
Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life with fear. Rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise, God to whom you belong will, in His love, enable you to profit by them…
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Eternal Father who takes care of you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day of your life…
Be at peace then, and put aside all useless thoughts, all vain dreads and all anxious imaginations.
Amen.
After Mass, all attendees were invited to partake in cookies, enjoy some socialization in the Narthex and take a prayer slip home with them, courtesy of Julie Bevins.
The Saint 