Pope Leo XIV's Representative Nuncio Caccia Celebrates Opening Mass at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC

Archbishop Caccia Celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit at Catholic University

The Catholic University of America marked the start of the academic year on September 3 with its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The liturgy was broadcast live on Youtube and celebrated by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia—marking his first time presiding over the event as the U.S. representative for Pope Leo XIV.

“A life that puts first the dimension of the Spirit, that tries to follow Christ, will experience many joys,” he explained. He encouraged students to find particular inspiration in the witness of Saint Francis of Assisi during this year’s 800th anniversary of his death.

Classes were paused across campus for the 500-year-old tradition, which gathers students, faculty, and staff to invoke the Holy Spirit's guidance for the upcoming year.

Highlights from the Service

  • Papal Greetings & Homily: Archbishop Caccia delivered blessings from Pope Leo XIV and encouraged students to seek spiritual inspiration, pointing to the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi's death as a model of faith.

  • Canonical Mission Granted: Four faculty members received the official blessing from the Holy See to teach in the name of the Catholic Church:

    • Garrett Smith (Associate Professor, School of Philosophy)

    • Juraj Nevjestic (Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Philosophy)

    • Michael Hahn (Assistant Professor, School of Theology and Religious Studies)

    • Rev. José Noriega, DCJM (Associate Professor, School of Theology and Religious Studies)

  • Presidential Remarks: University President Peter Kilpatrick concluded the service by encouraging the campus community to deepen their prayer life and spend time reading Scripture.

  • “Learn about the Holy Spirit by reading Scripture,” said President Kilpatrick. “Just as you pray to God the Father, and just as you pray to the Son, Jesus, our Lord, pray also to the Spirit.”

As the national university of the Catholic Church in the U.S., Catholic University remains the only American institution with ecclesiastical faculties authorized to grant canonical degrees in philosophy, theology, and canon law.

Source - https://www.catholic.edu/all-stories/pope-leo-xivs-representative-celebrates-annual-mass-holy-spirit



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