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Spiritual Life

Our Chapel

Located on the main floor of the 1927 building, our chapel is the spiritual center of the MCHS campus.  The chapel is open every day for students, faculty & staff, and visitors to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.  Fr. Leland Thorpe, Chaplain, also keeps office hours in the chapel on Wednesdays-Thursdays.

 

Holy Mass

Marquette celebrates Mass every Wednesday in the 2024-2025 school year in the Marquette gymnasium. Our Catholic identity is what makes us who we are.

On the following occasions, all-school Masses will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church:

  • First Day of School
  • Homecoming
  • Solemnity of All Saints
  • Ash Wednesday
  • Catholic Schools Week
  • Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Mass is also celebrated during theology classes and on retreat.

 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Sometimes a little calm and quiet prayer is what is needed to get through the day.  Students, faculty & staff, and visitors find that quiet spot in our chapel in front of the tabernacle.  On the third Wednesday of every month, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar for quiet adoration.  Students with a pass are welcome to come to the chapel for adoration.

 

Daily Prayer & Blessings

Special blessings will be offered for the following groups:

  • Each Day: Prayer if offered over the PA every morning after announcements.  Teachers also pray with their students before each class.  A Book of Prayer is outside the chapel where students may write special intentions they have.  These intentions are prayed for during class Masses.
  • New Drivers: During lunch hours on the last Wednesday of the month
  • Athletes: During regularly scheduled pep rallies
  • Thespians: Before rehearsal begins for the fall play & spring musical
  • Prayer at Center Court: Before final exams
  • Before Tests: Students & faculty can request the Campus Ministry staff to pray with their class.

 

Retreats

Every student is required to attend their class retreat.  Students who cannot attend due to illness will schedule a make-up retreat with the Campus Minister.  Every effort must be made to make sure medical appointments, college visits, or vacations do not conflict with the retreats.  This year's retreats will be presented by the REAP Team of St. Louis.  

Devotions

First Friday Rosary

On the First Friday of each month, students will meet in the gym during House period to pray the rosary.  This devotion has been prayed monthly since 2004.  Seven seniors began praying the rosary together asking the Blessed Mother to intercede as Marquette faced an enrollment crisis.  Their prayers were heard and we continue to pray for new students and the needs of our school family.

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross may be found in the chapel.  Prayer books are available to help guide your prayer.  The entire student body prays the Stations on the Wednesday of Holy Week.

Sacraments

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Each class will have a penance service before Christmas and Easter.  Priests from surrounding parishes hear confessions and grant absolution.  Individual confessions will be heard on the first Wednesday of the month in the chapel during lunch hours or stop by to see Fr. Leland any time.

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Fr. Leland welcomes anyone who is ill or injured (body or soul) to come to the chapel for prayer.  He is prepared to anoint those who seek out this sacrament.

Faith Formation

Sacramental Preparation

Every year students ask how they can become Catholic.  There are also Catholic students who have not completed their initiation through the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist or Confirmation.  The Campus Ministry office and Theology Department is ready to help!  The explanation is too long to list here since every situation is unique.  Talk to one of the Campus Ministry staff and we'll point you in the right direction!

Religious Vocation Discernment

High school is a growing time physically, emotionally, & spiritually.  Students who feel they are being called to be a religious brother, sister or priest have a lot of questions about what to do next.  We will pray with you through this time of searching.  We can also help you contact the Vocation Directors for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois or the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Campus Ministry Staff

Fr. Leland Thorpe OMV, Campus Chaplain, began formation with the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in 2014. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary's on August 13, 2022. 

Mr. Gregory Root, Campus Minister, is a graduate of Marquette Catholic High School and Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. Mr. Root began as Campus Minister in the 2023-24 school year.