The Chaplaincy

Priest: As the fish dies on the land,
So you die in the midst of studies and other school activities.
To live again,
The fish returns to water.
You must return to solitude.

Student: Must I therefore leave my studies
And go into a monastery?

Priest: Certainly not.
Hold on to your studies
And go back to your heart.

- adapted from Anthony De Mello, S.J.

Loyola Jesuit College has extensive chaplaincy activities, with enthusiastic contributions by staff and students, designed to help the students go back to their hearts while holding on to their studies, as well as support the spiritual development of all members of the school community. Such activities include sacraments, masses, recollections, retreats, etc.

Liturgies
Masses are provided daily for staff and students in the school chapel when the college is in session and in the Jesuit residence chapel during holidays. Parents and guardians are normally welcomed to join the school for Sunday masses on visiting Sundays.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a "special" mass to mark the official reopening of the academic school year and usually comes up in October of every year.

Sacraments
The Chaplaincy provides opportunities, through catechetical instruction, for students and staff to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. Anointing of the sick is by request. The Chaplain and other staff members visit and pray with students admitted in the college infirmary. In liaison with the parish priest under whose jurisdiction the school is located, the chaplaincy also provides on request marriage instructions for staff members preparing to wed . Click here for more...

Retreats
Loyola Jesuit College provides two kinds of retreats: The Kairos retreat and the Graduation retreat. The Kairos retreat is a four-day retreat programme for seniors, which comes up two times in an academic year, December and April. In addition to the spiritual benefits entailed, it helps in bonding and group dynamics.

The graduation retreat is in preparation for graduation. The themes are selected to help the students reflect on their journey (academic and social) in LJC thus far, as well as guide them on how to balance the spiritual and the mundane in facing the challenges they are likely to meet after LJC.

Recollections
Since students in a given class study and play together, the chaplaincy provides them with the opportunity to reflect and pray together through class recollections and mass. The recollections take place on designated Saturdays from after breakfast to lunchtime and end with a class mass. In addition to the moral and spiritual support they offer students, the recollections help to prepare them for the reception of the sacraments and for retreats. The themes of the recollections are carefully chosen to dovetail with their experiences as growing persons and young adults.

Going back to one's heart and holding on to one's studies mean finding God in all things, listening with a discerning heart and choosing to live for the Greater Glory of God.

Questions and inquiries on the activities of the Chaplaincy are to be directed to the Chaplain:
Phone: +234-9-3150175 (ext. 223) or +234-9-2903855
e-mail: chaplain@loyolajesuit.org or nwekesj@loyolajesuit.org