The Detroit Jesuits have created an online source to provide comfort and religious connection through social media during the COVID-19 outbreak. The theme is “Pray. Reflect. Connect.”
“The purpose is to create a virtual sacred space to offer a place to pray, reflect and connect,” wrote Gilbert Sunghera, S.J., who is the Superior for the Detroit Jesuits and a professor of Architecture at University of Detroit Mercy.
The Facebook page can be found here https://www.facebook.com/DetroitJesuits/ and the Instagram page is here https://www.instagram.com/detroitjesuits/. A YouTube channel is being organized for livestream elements, including Sunday Masses, but all content will be sourced through the Facebook page. Damian Torres-Botello, S.J., who is a professor of Theatre at Detroit Mercy will curate the page, which will be operational at least through April 26.
“One of the great privileges of working at an institution like Detroit Mercy is that we are called to be a community,” said Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, assistant to the president for Mission Integration. “It is as a community supporting one another through this time of anxiety and uncertainty that we will get through this. We will continue to be present and available to one another even if only virtually. Of this I am confident.”
The schedule is as follows:
Sunday Mass with the Detroit Jesuits: Practice spiritual communion through a livestream of Sunday Mass beginning at 11:15 a.m. Additional Masses will be added as needed.
Music Monday: Each Monday, one Detroit Jesuit will share a playlist of music featuring their favorite and most-loved tunes to help people reflect, pray and enjoy.
Intentions Tuesday: Every Tuesday a Detroit Jesuit priest, brother or scholastic will hold in private prayer and at Mass the intentions left by Facebook page followers and visitors throughout the week. Intentions can be added to the event page for that week or sent privately via Messenger. All intentions will remain in the Jesuits’ book of intentions placed at the altar in the Jesuit Community chapel in Lansing-Reilly Hall at Detroit Mercy.
Adoration Wednesday: Join the Detroit Jesuits for Adoration every Wednesday at 8 p.m. for an hour of prayer live on Facebook from the Jesuit Community chapel in Lansing-Reilly Hall at Detroit Mercy. Additional days will be added as needed.
Thursday Tips: Throughout the day, posts will offer resources, ideas and reflections to help with your faith life as we all remain in solidarity with each other.
Weekly Examen Friday: Pray the Examen at the end of each week. A Detroit Jesuit will guide an Examen based on a theme to help all of us pray through this challenging time.
Prepare the Way Saturday: Each Saturday a Detroit Jesuit will take viewers through the Sunday readings in preparation for Sunday Mass. Guided meditation, Lectio Divina, imaginative prayer or other prayerful and reflective methods to break open the readings will be featured on this day. Join live on Facebook for an interactive experience. Time to be determined.
In addition, there will be morning reflections at 8 a.m., offering a way to greet the day with God in a space of hope, faith and love. Evening Unwind offers a half hour of silent prayer beginning at 8 p.m. every evening but Wednesdays – when they offer Adoration – and Sundays.
For the latest information on Detroit Mercy’s response to the coronavirus crisis, visit udmercy.edu/life/health/health-advisory.php
