Over 480 students, faculty, staff, families, friends and alumni were in attendance, overflowing the seats into the bleachers.
Catholic Campus Ministry celebrated a wonderful Easter Mass on April 20, 2025, in Alumni Gym.
“There were so many students, and a lot of them brought friends,” said Kasey Miller, associate director of Communication and Engagement for Catholic Life, with excitement. “Fraternity brothers, friend groups and families took up entire rows. Everyone was smiling and chatting, waiting for Mass to begin.”
This was a record crowd for Easter Mass on Elon’s campus.
“Hope and joy motivate us all. Elon students are eager to find these feelings in faith and in Jesus,” said Father Peter Tremblay, associate chaplain for Catholic Life.
Navigating college life while practicing religion can be tough, but Catholic Campus Ministry is seeing rising engagement.
“The demand for spirituality, hope, and joy is clearly growing. We’re committed to creating spaces where students can embrace their faith,” said Father Tremblay.
After praying, fasting and almsgiving for the forty days of Lent and following Christ’s footsteps through Holy Week, Catholics celebrate the Lord’s resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. This belief is the basis of the entire Christian faith. On Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church also welcomed six students who completed the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process throughout this past year, culminating in their receiving the Sacraments of Initiation during the Mass.
“Although it wasn’t in an ornate church, it [Mass] felt like home. I’m no longer distant from God; His grace has brought me closer to Him,” said Parker Stevens ’27.
Julien Dupas ’28 shared, “For the first time, I experienced Easter not just as a holiday but as a sacred celebration,” said Julien Dupas ’25 “It felt like everything I had offered, every sacrifice and prayer, had led to that moment. Easter Mass wasn’t just a tradition anymore. It was a deep, intimate encounter with Christ.”
Easter Sunday is just the beginning. Catholics celebrate Easter for fifty days, ending at Pentecost, when Jesus ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to be with the world.
If you are interested in continuing to celebrate the Easter season with Catholic Campus Ministry, all are welcome to attend the Sunday Masses at 10 a.m. in the Sacred Space of the Numen Lumen Pavillion and 5 p.m. at Elon Community Church.