Fall Semester 2021 Opening Mass of Blessing

At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 16th, the Opening Mass of Blessing for the fall semester of 2021 was held at Saint Ignatius House. The ceremony was presided over by President Rev. Luke Sim Jong-hyeok, and the mass was jointly hosted by Chairperson Park Munsu, Executive Trustee Cho In-young, Director Woo Jae-myung of the Society of Jesus, Dean Kim Sang-yong of Campus Ministry Affairs, and members of the Jesuit priesthood. The mass was held in the presence of about 70 members of the school staff and students while in observance of COVID-19 safety guidelines.

The Opening Mass is held every semester under the supervision of the Sogang Campus Ministry to celebrate the beginning of the semester with the people of Sogang. Catholic universities around the world traditionally consecrate the 'Mass of the Holy Spirit' at the beginning of each academic year. This is a festival of thanksgiving in which we pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God's wisdom, to be given to the university that seeks and learns the truth, and for all faculty, students, and staff to find strength and comfort in the academic community.

▲ President Sim Jong-hyeok giving a sermon during the mass

Through a homily during the mass, President Sim talked about the Sogang Vision 2030 that he and the Sogang family established last semester, announcing that, for the concrete realization of this vision, he will continue to discuss each task with professors, students, and staff throughout the semester.

He also said, "For students who are unable to enjoy a full normal university life for the fourth semester in a row due to COVID-19, this semester, as the president, I will pay special attention to the relationship between professors and students by placing 'student guidance' (such as study, research, and career guidance) as a focal point, and the school will actively consider how it can give more support in various areas as we continue to strive toward becoming a school that empowers students to dream up and design their own future." Finally, President Sim concluded his sermon by asking God for wisdom to continue these efforts, for comfort to overcome difficulties, and for courage to take a bold step forward.

In the general intercessions that followed, there were prayers for Sogang's professors, students, staff, and alumni. In particular, there was a prayer for students who are unable to fully enjoy the beautiful autumn on the Sogang Campus due to COVID-19 but will lead their lives to the fullest extent in their respective places, even amidst these difficult times, and also a prayer for wisdom and courage for the school and society to cooperate with no shortage of practical help for everything they might need.

Chaplain Kim Sang-yong of the Sogang Campus Ministry concluded the mass, citing a passage from the book "Walking with Ignatius" by Superior General Arturo Sosa of the Society of Jesus in Rome, saying, "I pray that the Holy Spirit, who understands the hearts of many young people in this land who would be going through a fruitless season at the threshold of autumn, will lead them in this barren era when the fruits to share are scarce, so that they can help each other and develop the intelligence to share their thoughts and poor hearts in Sogang."