Put on your white and blue, it’s time to Celebrate SLU.

Every year Saint Louis University, like most other Jesuit
universities, celebrates the Mass of the Holy Spirit. This year,
however, the event will be more of a festival.

Celebrate SLU: A Billiken Bash will take place beginning at
11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The Mass of the Holy Spirit will
be celebrated by University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.

The Mass will be followed by a luncheon, as in previous years,
as well as a carnival, which is something new for this year.
Everyone is encouraged to wear SLU’s colors as a symbol of
celebrating a new academic year and welcoming all new members of
the SLU community. The event will serve as part of Welcome Week’s
activities.

This year, the consensus among the staff and faculty was that
they wanted an activity that would draw the entire SLU community
together in the first week of school, when there is more time
available and students are not too busy with schoolwork, said Lisa
Reiter, associate director of Campus Ministry. In past years the
celebration was held on a Thursday in September.

“We are starting off another year of studying, and there is a
lot of pressure and stress,” Reiter said. “It is a way of offering
up to God all the learning and studying, as well as asking God for
guidance.”

Reiter also spoke of the Jesuit mission, which is to “find God
in all things.” This includes finding Him in attending classes and
the ordinary activities of academic life.

The carnival and lunch, located in the field by Tegeler Hall,
will immediately follow the Mass. The festival will include a
number of games along the perimeter of the field as well as a
karaoke competition between University departments and student
organizations. The competition begins at noon and prizes include
departmental pizza parties, donated by Chartwell’s Dining
Services.

Classes are canceled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so everyone has the
chance to participate in the activities.

“We’re hoping it gives an opportunity for faculty, staff and
students to pray together, have lunch and talk in an informal
setting,” Reiter said.

Transportation from the Health Sciences Center will be the
regularly scheduled shuttle service.

In case of rain, all activities following the Mass will be
canceled.