Tufts is home to a vibrant multi-faith community that celebrates its differences and connects over shared values. The University Chaplaincy supports students seeking spiritual growth and is home to the seven chaplains who work together to serve the Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant communities. The University Chaplain, Reverend Elyse, provides special support and advising for communities not represented by the other chaplains such as the Sikh and Unitarian Universalist communities.
Beyond spiritual advisors, the Chaplaincy supports a number of RPSOs (religious and philosophical student organizations). The RPSOs are student-led faith groups across religious traditions. The RPSOs include the Humanist Community at Tufts, Muslim Students Association at Tufts, Hillel at Tufts, Tufts Hindu Students Association, Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha, Tufts Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Protestant Students Association, and more.
I am involved in the Catholic Community at Tufts, or CCT for short. Our goal is to support the Catholic Community at Tufts beyond Sunday mass and foster ways for students to grow and live in their faith as Catholics. We do this by hosting monthly dinners, Spanish-English Bilingual mass, community service initiatives, and spiritual practices. We reserve time in Goddard Chapel each week to come together and pray the Rosary or practice Lectio Divina.
One of my favorite memories of the CCT was the Spring retreat last semester. Myself and about 25 other Tufts students spent three days and two nights at the Rolling Ridge retreat center in the woods of North Andover, MA. Like all of the events by CCT, not everyone who attended was Catholic but everyone was at a different point in their faith journey. It was a weekend full of reflection, good food, meditative walks, and lots of hot chocolate. The CCT has led me to create new friendships and strengthen my existing relationships. I cannot imagine my college experience without an outlet to grow in my faith and learn more about myself in the process.
In addition to religious groups and non-denominational groups like Daily Flame, the Chaplaincy is also home to a variety of interfaith RPSOs that celebrate our differences. COFFEE (Community OF Faith Exploration and Engagement) meets every Monday to share snacks and discuss topics such as science and religion, social justice, and sacred spaces. You can also attend events put on by Interfaith Ambassadors like “Pax et Lux: A Multifaith Winter Celebration” or assist in chaplaincy event programming as a member of the Interfaith Student Council.
Whether you're curious about interfaith dialogues, looking for a home away from home, or want to deepen your spiritual practice, the Tufts Chaplaincy is open to everyone. You can reach out to a specific chaplain, attend an event held by an RPSO, or stop by the offices at Goddard Chapel, located on the academic quad, to learn more about the Tufts Chaplaincy. You do not need to be a part of a specific faith tradition, or any faith community at all, to find your place in the Tufts Chaplaincy.
Photo Credit: Chaplaincy Office