Mercy Mondays: Announcing the launch of the Multi Faith Prayer Space
The Mercy Center for Spiritual Life is pleased to announce the opening of the Salve Regina’s new Multi Faith Prayer Space.
The Multi Faith Prayer Space provides a retreat where students, faculty and staff feel welcome to sit, pause, pray, reflect, meditate or to simply be still. It is the hope of the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life that this new space will become an asset to the Salve Regina community as the University continues to promote inclusivity and belonging, celebrate religious and spiritual diversity, and accommodate the practices of religiously diverse students.
The space is located in the courtyard in the middle of Miley Hall and Walgreen Hall where the old bike storage room used to be. Selecting a location for the new space was extremely important, because it ideally needed to be in a central location that would attract students from all over campus. This kind of high visibility was critical in selecting the location so that students are aware the space is there and that it is open for all to use and enjoy.
Warm colors, wood tones and a water feature were selected to create a space that feels comfortable, welcoming and inviting. Natural light from the frosted doors and window panels create a beautiful interior glow in the daytime. Prayer rugs, benches, yoga cushions and chairs are available for use and everything is designed to be mobile to accommodate the needs of various religious and spiritual practices.
Because the Multi Faith Prayer Space is sensitive to all faiths and religions, no symbols adorn the room. It was the goal to create a flexible space that ensures that people of different faiths and spiritual practices, or none at all, are comfortable using the space for their specific needs.
The centerpiece of the room will be a large piece of artwork. The Mercy Center is collaborating with Jodie Goodnough, associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History at Salve Regina, to create the artwork that will fill the central wall. The art installation will happen at the end of the semester, and a grand opening celebration will be held next semester.
The Multi Faith Prayer Space is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Everyone is invited to take a moment out of their busy day and spend a moment or two in the space.
The Mercy Center for Spiritual Life also wants to thank Jared Coleman and his team for the beautiful transformation of the space over the summer months.
Written by Matthew Kelly, campus minister of liturgy, music and multifaith ministry
This post is part of an ongoing series called Mercy Mondays that highlights Salve Regina’s dedication to its Mercy Mission. Search the tag Mercy Mission for more updates on the Mercy branches of Salve Regina.
