His divine presence in a favorite SLU tradition

            It’s goose bumps. It’s chills.  It’s that brain freeze feeling in somewhat of a pleasant way. The physical experience of what I identify as God’s presence is simply a summation of what it felt like to be at the first 9 pm mass of the school year.

            It was the hundreds of students that kept pouring in to make the 1,400 STUDENT congregation that evening. Despite the fact that, as a senior that is aware of this annual occurrence, it just gets me every time.

            Here’s the thing. The first 9 pm mass of the school year is the one place where students who are passionate about our student congregation unite with the students who wish they could come, but find it difficult to attend based upon their work and homework schedules any other time in the semester. It’s the place where students that weren’t raised Catholic but perhaps a Christian denomination come to see how the same God is worshiped but in communion with their friends and fellow Billikens. It’s the students who believe in another God altogether but still find unity, solidarity and joy in this same place. It’s my favorite SLU tradition; one that’s made a lasting impact on me and left me thirsty for more.

            So now I’ve run into the problem of how to find such a God-filled rush outside of this annual liturgical celebration. So this is my personal challenge that I extent to my beloved SLU community. Seek out those adrenaline rushes that are God’s presence. Take the time to have a coffee date with a friend who really makes you think and challenges you in the mundaneness of everyday life. Take time to put away your phone and walk slowly down West Pine to really take in the beauty of the SLUlips, palm trees and tender hands that have really put serious sweat and effort into planting each and every flower. Take this intentional time to find God in all things, as St. Ignatius taught us. Take simple moments to take in nature around you and be amazed what an easy and divine way it is to de-stress and be intentional about your relationship with God.

            St. Ignatius got a few things right, otherwise I can’t imagine his ideals and practices living so long after his earthly death. He even stands on campus to remind us of the beauty that we are so blessed to experience as Billikens where we are challenged to find God in our everyday lives. I mean, wouldn’t you want that blissful, divine rush each and everyday if you could just take the time to notice?

Erin Twiehaus is the Campus Ministry PRAY intern.