Mission and Ministry will have several spiritual exercises for the Loyola community in honor of the university’s Centennial.

Kurt Bindewald, director of University Ministry, said that the university will have retreats and lectures that relate to the centennial throughout the semester. Bindewald also said that Loyola will have a Centennial Mass at 5 p.m. on Founder’s Day, April 14.

The Mass will be held during Alumni Weekend, according to the university’s website. Bindewald said that the university has invited a number of high-profile guests to the service, such as the archdiocese’s bishops, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Gov. Bobby Jindal, though their attendance is not confirmed.

One confirmed guest at the Mass will be the Rev. John Padberg, S.J., according to Bindewald. Bindewald says that Padberg’s deep knowledge of the Jesuits will serve him well as the Centennial Mass homilist.

“As a historian and a Jesuit, he is very knowledgeable about Ignatian spirituality,” Bindewald says.

After the Mass, there will be a picnic, according to the university website. Bindewald says that the picnic will be held in the Horseshoe and will feature a Centennial video, speakers and a fireworks show.

Ricki Bratcher, studio art junior, said that the celebration seems fitting.

“It seems like a good way for a Catholic university to celebrate a Centennial,” Bratcher said.

In addition to the Mass, Mission and Ministry will also honor the Centennial through spiritual exercises. Bindewald says that the Lenten Lecture Series, which started in 2007, will focus on St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises.

There will be three lectures featuring a Jesuit examining the spiritual exercises and Ignatian spirituality, according to Bindewald. Each lecture will focus on a different aspect of Ignatian spirituality.

The first lecture, on Feb. 29, will be about the history of the exercises and spirituality. The second will be held March 14 by Sylvester Tan, S.J., and will focus on the exercises’ philosophical background, according to Bindewald. Bindewald said the final lecture will be held on March 28 by the Rev. Fred Kammer, S.J., and will focus on how the exercises inspire service.

Bratcher said that, though she is not a person of faith, the lectures still appeal to her as a member of the Loyola community.

“I think I’d maybe like to hear about it. Jesuits are kind of weird. They’re really open-minded, and I’d like to learn how they became that way,” Bratcher said.

Karl Gommel can reached at [email protected]