Sacraments

For those with infants or young children, the local Christian community has a role in the celebration of infant baptism as well as in assisting parents in the child's Christian formation. It is the practice of the Roman Catholic Church that infants and young children are baptized in their parents' parish church. Permission to allow infants and young children to be baptized at Madonna della Strada Chapel may be granted by the Rector. Parents will need to obtain permission from both the pastor of their home parish and the Rector of Madonna della Strada Chapel and complete a baptismal formation program at their home parish. Madonna della Strada Chapel does not provide a priest or deacon for baptisms, parents must secure a priest or deacon before plans are made. For further information please read below or email MDS@LUC.edu.

For current Loyola students who have never been baptized, Campus Ministry offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (see additional drop-down menus below), which prepares students to receive this sacrament and to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

Here is helpful information for those contemplating a baptism in Madonna della Strada Chapel:

• Initial inquiries are made by emailing MDS@LUC.edu. Please submit both sides of the completed Baptism Request Form and a copy of your child’s official birth certificate along with your email request.
• We cannot offer baptisms of other denominations or faiths.
• A chapel staff member will reply to your initial request within two weeks. Please be prepared and patient, there will be paperwork and formation required.
• There is not a fee for baptisms.
• Infant Baptisms at Madonna della Strada Chapel are held on Sundays at noon. Some days may be unavailable due to university and chapel schedule conflicts.
• At least one of the parties seeking the Sacrament of Baptism for their child must be Roman Catholic and a part of the Loyola University Chicago community, as defined on the Baptism Request Form.
• Madonna della Strada Chapel does not provide a priest or deacon for baptisms, parents must secure their own priest or deacon. Your priest or deacon will need to complete the Baptism Presider Delegation Request form once that person is identified.
• Parents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class in their home parish.
• Two godparents are typically chosen, and if so, one must be male and one female. At least one of the godparents must be Roman Catholic.
• A sacristan will be provided by Madonna della Strada Chapel to assist with the baptism.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) refers to the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist as well as to other rituals that prepare adults who have never been baptized, or who have been baptized in a non-Catholic church, to receive these Sacraments and become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

The RCIA is designed for any of the following current Loyola University students:

• Non-Catholics
• Non-Christians
• Those baptized in a Protestant Church (e.g., Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, non-denominational, etc.)
• Baptized Catholics who have not received First Holy Communion or religious instruction
• Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Church

The time commitment is attending one 90 minutes class per week when classes are in session in addition to attending the 9:00 p.m. Sunday Mass together. To register for this year's classes or to learn more, please contact Dr. Derrick Witherington at twither@luc.edu. 

If you are considering becoming Catholic or getting baptized, here are some things to do that will help you along your spiritual journey:

• Watch a short video about the Catholic Church
• Read the Bible readings from today's Mass
• Pray common Catholic prayers
• If you've already been baptized but are not Catholic, click here and check out this website.
• Learn more about Catholic teachings in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Current Loyola students who meet all the following requirements are eligible for Confirmation at Madonna della Strada Chapel:

1. Current Loyola University student
2. Baptized Catholic -- a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided
3. Attended Catholic religious education classes (e.g., CCD or religion class in a Catholic grade school)
4. Received First Holy Communion

If you do not meet all the above requirements or if you are not Catholic, please see the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (above).

For more information, please contact Derrick Witherington, twither@luc.edu.

Click here to watch the video on why we get confirmed.

At Loyola University Chicago, we have weekly and daily opportunities to celebrate the Eucharist. Please see our Liturgy Schedule for a Mass at one of our campuses.

Sundays, during the fall and spring semesters

7:30-8:30 p.m.

Mondays with Eucharistic Adoration, during the fall and spring semesters

8:00-9:00 p.m. 

If you cannot join us at Loyola, please check the Confessions schedule at the following nearby parishes: Saint Gertrude and Holy Name Cathedral.

For more information about the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, click here.

To learn how to make a good confession, click here.

If you are a current Loyola University student who is seriously ill or facing a major surgery and would like to receive this sacrament, please contact Derrick Witherington, twither@luc.edu.

A communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered during a weekday Mass in the spring semester, which will be announced in our weekly e-bulletin.

Loyola University Chicago is happy to offer Madonna della Strada Chapel as a place to celebrate weddings of Catholics within the Roman Catholic liturgy.

Catholics believe that marriage comes as a gift from the hand of God. The Catholic vision of marriage is rooted in Sacred Scripture and is expressed in the teachings and practices of the Church. It has these main elements:

• Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love.
• Marriage opens a couple to giving life.
• Marriage is a way to respond to God’s call to holiness.
• Marriage calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world.

For further information please visit www.LUC.edu/MDSweddings

Ordinations of Jesuits can be celebrated at Loyola University Chicago. More information about the Jesuits can be found here: Jesuits Chicago Province.