St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel is very special to us, and we don't miss Mass here. We go here every Sunday. Yes, it's a campus ministry, and not an actual parish - but it has become my parish simply because I love going to Mass there. It is impt. to realize and very true that we are to attend Mass to worship God - and not be distracted by "the quality of music" or "overcrowding." I also do believe that one should worship where you grow in your relationship with God; having said that, I have grown spiritually here. Yes, you are invited to greet your neighbor before Mass, and if you are not used to the phrase, "Love thy neighbor as thyself" then you may be in for a little surprise. I have never "reviewed" Masses and I don't review churches either - they are sacred things to me - having said that, this is a FIVE-star chapel. I take exception to the one-star reviewer's pithy comments. Leaving Mass after the consecration is arrogant, and in bad form no matter what church you attend. Unless it's a medical emergency, for us you don't leave early. At the end of Mass we are invited to go forth (by example) and to "glorify God by your life."
The chaplain, Father Peter, goes out of his way to help GMU students with their faith ives. It's their campus, and he is their chaplain after all. He brings them closer to God - what more can you ask for in this life than to be closer to God? Attending Mass at this chapel does that for me as well, even though I am not a student, and not an alum. Fr. Peter's homilies are wonderful. You can learn a lot if you listen to them.
Re. the four Masses celebrated - the music is varied. If you attend Sat. evening or Sunday morning Mass, the music is more traditional re. type of music and hymns. If you attend Sun. night Mass at 8:00 PM, you are treated to a wonderful guitar Mass. People sing their hearts out in praise and worship. Dave plays wonderful guitar music, and we sing more contemporary songs - I LOVE them! In fact, I love the 8:00PM Mass across the board. Ten PM Mass is for GMU students though they can attend any Mass. The St. Robt. Bellarmine chapel also offers student participation for homeless outreach at Lamb Center (by cooking), prison visits to juvenile detention, alternative spring break trips (service trips), and a home away from home for GMU students - even a quiet place to study, and student support before exams via "the Blessing of the Brains." The students love belonging here. You may want to know that the Catholic Campus Ministry is one of the largest "clubs" on campus at GMU, if not the largest. Enormously popular with students! Thurs. night suppers are offered every wk. after Mass and Confession - along with guest speakers and home-cooked meals done by members of the community. I bake desserts for them once a semester.
The chapel is open during the summer, though you may have a visiting priest particularly in July. The chapel offers two Masses on Christmas Eve, and is closed until the third wk. of January as it is a university chapel and GMU itself is closed. During that time, we attend St. Mary of Sorrows which is nearby.
The chapel is small and very popular with the students as well as members of the community such as myself, so often there is standing room only. If you come late to Mass, you may have to stand. If you come late to anything, you may have to stand! Don't come late! Come early so you can get the parking (behind chapel, and across the road in three locations).
I have been a parish member of six churches in six states and probably attended more like 8-9 churches across my lifetime, and St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel at GMU is my favorite church of all. I would do anything for this chapel or its staff there. They are good, kind, welcoming, and have helped me grow in my Catholic faith. They do that for GMU's students, too. I am giving Fr. Peter and God five stars for their great work in our lives. read more