By Lian Bunny
News Assignment Editor
University Ministries will host a Christmas mass followed by the fourth annual Blessing of the Brains and a late-night breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 7.
The Blessing of the Brains is a candlelit ceremony where University Ministry members pray a blessing over the heads of students, faculty and staff.
At 8 p.m. at the University Chapel in Doyle Hall, attendees can join in the singing of Christmas carols.
At 9 p.m. Fr. Kyle Haden, O.F.M., will preside over the Christmas mass, immediately followed by the Blessing of the Brains in preparation for finals week.
After the Blessing of the Brains, an evening breakfast will take place in the Hickey Dining Hall.
“I think it’s an important time to remember what the season is about—the incarnation of God in our midst,” said Fr. Francis DiSpigno, O.F.M. “We celebrate that in our lives throughout the year.”
Fr. Francis brought the Blessing of the Brains to campus in December 2011. He encourages everybody to participate.
“It’s not just a Catholic thing,” Fr. Francis said. “It’s for anyone, including non-Christians, if you’re open to a blessing.”
Sophomore chemistry major Vanessa Hulse attended the blessing last year and found it helpful.
“I go because it helps me remember that I’ve already done the best I could and just to do the best I can on the tests,” Hulse said. “My best is my best. It helps me relax.”
According to Fr. Francis, blessing someone is asking God to remind us of the blessing we already are and what we already have. He encourages students to remember they are “good, holy and blessed, forever and always.”
“Put it on paper and stick it to your mirror. Keep repeating it until you believe it,” said Fr. Francis. “Then we start to respond and react, act to other people who are ’good, holy and blessed.’”
In the spring of 2014, the event drew some national attention as a unique stress reliever. Paige Schaefer, a blogger for Nerdscholar.com, included St. Bonaventure in a list of NerdScholar’s favorite finals stress relievers. The article included pre-exam rituals from five colleges across the country.
Senior biology major James Gilfert encouraged his fellow classmates to avoid finals anxiety.
“Don’t worry about what is out of your control. Just do your best and let God do the rest,” Gilfert said.
Fr. Francis added, “Who couldn’t use another blessing?”
