Fairfield University students are showing a growing interest in deepening their faith on and off campus. While Fairfield University, a Jesuit school, may have already had a strong amount of religious involvement from students, the past few years have shown a surge in student participation in faith-based activities.
“When I started, only 200 students were going to Mass on a regular Sunday. Now we count to 1,000,” said Rev. John Savard, S.J., Director of Campus Ministry.
This increase in just a few years has transformed Fairfield University’s campus worship schedule and overall events. Last semester, Campus Ministry increased the number of Sunday Masses from two to three and even after that, the chapel is often filled.
The Mirror previously reported on the growing crowds, and today, Savard says that the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Campus Ministry is also expanding its reach beyond its usual Masses and service trips to meet the growing demand of students. New weekly Bible studies began this semester, offering students the chance to share and reflect in group settings led by officials in Campus Ministry.
Junior John Limongeli, who attended one of the first sessions, described the experience as meaningful.
“I was glad to come back for the second week after being able to hear people’s different viewpoints and their perspectives on readings I would have thought differently about,” he said.
According to Savard, students regularly ask for new ways to connect with their faith, inspiring this year’s Bible studies and the addition of room blessings. He estimates that he has already completed around 50 room blessings, with more scheduled in the weeks ahead.
Junior Kacey McGorry explained that she appreciates the new additions to Fairfield, coming from a Catholic family.
“As I had to do Bible study growing up, having the option to do it here is really nice, and feels close to home,” she reveals.
Students who are not from a traditional Catholic background have also been getting more involved in Fairfield’s Jesuit identity with different faith formation programs.
Deacon Tom Curran runs the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program at Fairfield, which guides students who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and wish to be baptized and receive their First Communion. He also offers confirmation classes, which consist of two sessions offered each semester.
Last year, according to Deacon Tom, 23 students completed these programs, finishing with a special Mass in late April. The ceremony included four baptisms, four professions of faith, and 15 Confirmations. This year, Deacon Tom has already heard from several students interested in OCIA, and two are planning to be confirmed.
This year, classes are set to start in late October, and Deacon Tom encourages students to reach out to him through his email, tcurran@fairfield.edu, to begin the process.
Faith-based activities are also taking students off campus. This past summer, Savard and Katie Byrnes, the Associate Director of Campus Ministry, traveled to Rome, Italy, with 15 Fairfield students. The group joined Catholics around the world to celebrate the Jubilee year, a Holy Year celebration symbolizing forgiveness, reconciliation and spiritual renewal.
Senior Kevin Camy, one of the students who went on the trip, described it as “eye-opening,” noting the power of watching so many young people celebrate their faith on such a large scale. He even said that the experience helped him rediscover his purpose and a greater sense of self.
“It was something I think he knew I needed to experience,” Camy added, reflecting on Savard’s invitation to join the trip after recognizing Camy’s readiness for a spiritual journey.
Savard returned to campus inspired, with plans to add more immersion and service trips in the future. In January, he, along with Byrnes, will lead 12 students on an immersion trip to Belize; meanwhile, Julia Murphy, Campus Minister for Justice and Immersions, will be taking another group to Peru.
As interest in Faith continues to rise, Fairfield’s Campus Ministry is evolving to meet students where they are, whether that be through packed Sunday Masses, new Bible studies, faith formation programs or immersion trips. For many students, these experiences are not only opportunities to strengthen their faith but also to build their community and shape how Fairfield’s Jesuit mission is lived out on campus today.