Princeton University Office of Religious Life

We're back like we never left!

Thanks to all the new and returning students who showed up to our Welcome BBQ today, we can't wait to see what this academic year brings.

PAWcast: Leadership Changes at Princeton’s Office of Religious Life Listen on Apple Podcasts • Google Podcasts

Listen to the Princeton Alumni Weekly's newest podcast episode with Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel Theresa S. Thames and Former Dean of Religious Life Alison Boden as they discuss leadership transitions, ORL's programming, and more!

PAWcast: Rev. Alison Boden and Rev. Theresa Thames Princeton’s Office of Religious Life recently saw a transition in leadership, and we thought it would be an ideal time to speak on the PAWcast with the two people passing that figurative baton: The Re

: "From the very beginning of my time at Princeton until this day, Catalina Maldonado-Lopez has been a constant light in my days. During freshman year, after grueling morning weight training with the baseball team, my teammates and I would make our way to Whitman College dining hall where Maldonado-Lopez would greet us each by name with the warmest smile as she checked our cards, and ask about our lives. Over time she became like a mother away from home, and our friendship became a quietly central part of my Princeton experience. She felt like family — where we could be apart for years and as soon as we see each other it is like we have spent every day together. And that's what actually happened. During the pandemic, I took a two-year gap year, and when I did return to campus, I was amazed at how things had changed. Returning felt in some ways like entering an entirely new world, with new faces and newly constructed spaces. I was elated when I heard a cheerful 'Good morning, Brian' and saw her warm smile (now at Yeh College)! She has always gone out of her way to know everyone who walks into the dining hall, providing support that really resonates. This spring I was thrilled to be able to nominate Maldonado-Lopez as my 'Hidden Chaplain.' This program, through the Office of Religious Life, is designed to honor members of the University community who go above and beyond in their jobs to make a positive impact. I felt honored to acknowledge the difference Maldonado-Lopez made in my Princeton experience. Now that I have graduated, I hope to pay forward to others her authentic kindness that has brought such light to my life." — Brian Kregel '24; photo by Nancy Agosto

Dean Alison Boden will retire at the end of July after leading the Princeton University Office of Religious Life for 17 years. The Rev. Theresa Thames currently the associate dean of religious life and the chapel, has been named to succeed Boden as dean: https://bit.ly/3xFzNAG

One hundred years ago today, Princeton broke ground on what would become our glorious Chapel. Built in the Gothic Revival Style by Ralph Adams Cram and completed in 1928, the University Chapel is the third largest college chapel in the world.

📸: Richard Trenner '70

Congratulations to the Great Class of 2024! The ORL wishes you the best of luck in all your future endeavors! 🐅 🎓

It’s the little things in life that can make a big impact. Last week students celebrated their Hidden Chaplains, staff members of the University who make their days at Princeton brighter for a celebratory dinner.

Whether it’s the Public Safety Officer or Dining Hall worker who knows everyone by name, to the countless of Facilities and Administrative Workers who have become a pillar for students during a hard time. We are truly lucky to have you!

Fellows from our Faith and Gender Justice Fellowship had an incredible experience attending the UN Women 68th Commission on the Status of Women in NYC. From gaining insight on policy implementations to having one of our own (Lina Lyssia Abtouche’27) closing out Day 2 of the Youth Forum as a panelist highlighting how her identity as a young indigenous Imazighen woman shaped her views on gender equality. Read more about their time at the conference here.

The Role of Youth in Uplifting the Status of Women and Girls Fresh out of their UNWomen internships, two Princeton Students, Emma Coley '20 and Ananya Augustin Malhotra '20 had a strong desire to bring their learnings back to campus. In September 2019, the Faith and Gender Justice Fellowship was born, creating a community that revolved around gender justice o...

Monday night, we welcomed Anna Lapwood to the University Chapel as the third stop on her U.S. tour. Whether it's the transcendent pieces from Hans Zimmer or the soaring score of 'Test Drive,' Anna knows how to put on a (Inter)stellar performance.

📸: Rupert Peacock

We’re honored and excited to be hosting Anna Lapwood MBE in concert on April 8th at the Princeton University Chapel.
Doors will open at 7pm. The concert will begin promptly at 8pm.
This event is free and open to the public.
No tickets are required.

Westminster Choir College is pleased to co-host international organ superstar Anna Lapwood, MBE for a concert and masterclass series. Lapwood will play a recital at the Princeton University Chapel followed by a day in residence with Westminster Choir College on the Lawrenceville Campus. Photography credit: Nick Rutter

Each year during the Lenten season, the Office of Religious Life publishes a Lenten devotional. This year’s devotional will be a daily digital reader and printed edition that our community and friends will receive via email and with printed copies in the Chapel. To receive a devotional via email, register here: https://forms.gle/ng18GtgbYpap1agg8

The devotional consists of personal stories and reflections on a common theme. The 2024 theme is "Wandering Heart: Faithfully Figuring Out Faith.” In this year’s Lenten, members of our community will share their reflections on what it means to follow Jesus, even when the journey is not perfect or linear, but instead of faithful wandering of discovery and love. Our biblical guide this year is Peter. “In Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer.”

The ORL is accepting applications for the Summer 2024 Faith-Based Internship program!! Head to https://bit.ly/3RXLrgh for more information on our amazing partner organizations and how to apply! Deadline to Apply: 2/4 at 11:59pm

Since 2019, we have been fortunate to provide students with the opportunity to learn how to transform conflict and bridge differences. Learn more about our essential work with the Rose Castle Foundation below.

Rose Castle Foundation engages Princeton students to become ‘agents of reconciliation’ A fall break trip is a first step in learning to bridge differences, and making space for multiple viewpoints.

Last night, the ORL hosted the annual My Big Fat Interfaith Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for this vibrant community that makes this event meaningful every year. We want to know, what are you thankful for?

Food, Friends, and Thankfulness, what's better than that? Read all about 'My Big Fat Interfaith Thanksgiving' at The Daily Princetonian

My Big Fat Interfaith Thanksgiving: A ‘touchpoint of community and connection’ Attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together during times of hardship for many communities.

Princeton University Organist, Eric Plutz, will be featured on WWFM tonight at 8pm EST! Tune in to listen to a special broadcast of his concert performance entitled "Various Venerable Variations":

Special Thursday Broadcast - Organist Eric Plutz in Recital Princeton University Organist Eric Plutz performs "Various Venerable Variations" this Thursday (6/22) at 8 pm.

The ORL’s Hidden Chaplains initiative was featured in The New Yorker! Started by Dean Matt Weiner and Kyle Berlin ‘18 five years ago, the Hidden Chaplains program allows students to identify and honor those people on campus whose quiet generosity and care brighten their days. Read more about this year’s Hidden Chaplains here:

Princeton’s Hidden Chaplains Celebrating the unwitting ministry of the workaday heroes who brighten the days of overanxious Ivy Leaguers.

Check out this piece in The Daily Princetonian about the recent Fall Break trip to Senegal, hosted by the Office of Religious Life and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. A beautiful reflection written by Ndeye Thioubou:

A Teranga-filled homecoming: My experience on Princeton’s fall break trip to Senegal “It is not often that Princeton holds trips to the African continent on fall and spring breaks, as most opportunities are concentrated in Europe, but the University must build on the precedent of the Senegal trip and create more opportunities for students.”

We are seeking proposals from graduate students in any field for projects that make use of the Religion & Forced Migration Initiative’s oral history archive and find creative and compelling ways to share the archive’s stories to enhance public understanding about refugees' experiences.

Click Here for More Information: https://mailchi.mp/e9eeebaffd64/religion-forced-migration-initiative-graduate-research-opportunity

The Religion & Forced Migration Initiative is funded in part by the Henry Luce Foundation.

“So a big hope for this project is that through the archive and the learning materials, and then through the resource map, people appreciate the rich and varied experiences of refugees in their own words,” Clifton says, “and that those stories encourage them to be more welcoming and generous to newcomers of all kinds.”

Our Religion & Forced Migration Initiative Coordinator, Katherine Clifton '15, was featured as Princeton Alumni Weekly's Tiger of the Week! Read the story below to learn more about Katherine and her incredible leadership of RFMI.

https://paw.princeton.edu/article/katherine-clifton-15-listening-stories-refugees

Katherine Clifton ’15 Is Listening to the Stories of Refugees Not everyone listens carefully to other people these days — but Katherine Clifton ’15 does.

The Religion & Forced Migration Website is now LIVE! Check out this important new resource for refugees and refugee advocates here: https://www.rfmi.princeton.edu/

Check out this article in Princeton Alumni Weekly about Princeton University Organist, Eric Plutz's recent national concert tour!

https://paw.princeton.edu/article/chapel-organist-traveled-across-country-new-album

Chapel Organist Traveled Across the Country for New Album Like many musicians, organists play favorites. Carl Weinrich, the director of music at the University Chapel from 1943 to 1973, devoted much of his career to the works of Bach.

For Reunions Weekend 2022, the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal ’72 returned to Princeton’s campus for only the second time in the 50 years since he graduated. A denominational leader, climate activist, and public theologian, Rev. Antal was invited back to deliver the sermon at that Sunday’s Chapel Service.

Reflecting on his time at Princeton, Rev. Antal shares how a recommendation from an advisor changed the course of his life and how his sophomore year sparked his commitment to activism. In this interview, Rev. Antal also discusses his most recent return and his hope for the future of Princeton and the world.
https://religiouslife.princeton.edu/news/qa-rev-dr-jim-antal-%E2%80%9872-50th-class-reunion-chapel-speaker

Q&A with The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal ‘72, 50th Class Reunion Chapel Speaker Q&A with The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal ‘72, 50th Class Reunion Chapel Speaker By Erica Harris DeValve For Reunions Weekend 2022, the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal ’72 returned to Princeton’s campus for only the second time in the 50 years since he graduated. A denominational leader, climate activist, and public...

Congratulations to the 2022 Spirit of Princeton Award winners!

https://www.princeton.edu/news/2022/04/27/seven-students-win-2022-spirit-princeton-award-service-contributions-campus-life

Seven students win 2022 Spirit of Princeton Award for service, contributions to campus life Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Email Print Seven students win 2022 Spirit of Princeton Award for service, contributions to campus life Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students April 27, 2022, 9:31 a.m. Seven students have been named winners of the 2022 Spirit of Princeton A...