Decompressing with Jesus and taking a step away from working on projects and studying for tests is all you need. Times like this with Finals right around the corner, everyone needs a little calming for Jesus Christ himself.
Last week, on Wednesday, December 10th at the Mystical Rose Oratory at 6 P.M., A Silent Night Before Finals took place. Directed by Campus Minister Scarlet Rose Ford, she was happy with the turnout and how long people did stay. The event lasted just about two hours and was attended by only around 15 people.
There were different stations in where you could just listen to the music, be close with Jesus in the Eucharist Adoration, or you could go off to the side and sit to do the Sacrament of Confession. After you took the time to find you peace, there were sugar cookies waiting for you on your way out as an extra incentive for coming.
“There were no bland moments,” Ford said, “Everyone was locked in. Confession lines were steady, and the music made the whole space peaceful.”
For Ford, it was a great reminder for her to find the balance between ministry and her personal faith.
Father Chris Wittmann was proud and happy that there was an improvement of people who attended the event. About 15 people, not including the people who helped setup, showed up. It gave him a sense of joy that they were able to get the word out enough to have some people there even if they weren’t there the whole entire time.
Many songs were played that night, especially with Josh Laguna performing between singing and instrumental worship. Wittmann enjoyed all the music being played; his favorite, he said, was the “King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”
The students were honed in on God, trying to find some peace, quiet and forgiveness with everything. Most people with their heads down and were trying to concentrate, while others went to confession to find peace within and forgiveness with God.
“It was really a space for people to have some quiet”, Wittmann said, “It was a chance to give people space and quiet… Give some people peace and a break from stress.”