Annual EventsChaplains' Office
New Student Convocation
Opening Convocation
Alumni and Homecoming Service
Family Weekend
Founder's Day
Day of the Dead
International Day
Christmas in Christ Chapel
At the beginning of December, in the season of Advent, the Gustavus community prepares for Christmas by joining together for the annual Christmas in Christ Chapel services. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of the college gather at one of four services held during one weekend with approximately 1200 people attend each service.
Christmas in Christ Chapel is the joint effort of the Chaplains' Office, Music Department, Fine Arts, Institutional Events, and the Office of Marketing and Communication. Every year, a theme is chosen to both facilitate worship and teach participants something new about faith, culture, and the world. A collaboration of approximately 350 students, faculty, and staff bring the services to life through choral, orchestral, brass, handbell, and organ music, dance, spoken word, and prayer.
The most recent themes explored throughout the Christmas in Christ Chapel services have been Celestial Wonder Joy Unfolding (2022), We Shall Go Forth Singing (2021), Healer of the Nations, Come (2020), Love Beyond Borders (2019), and Visions of Divine Mystery (2018).
Information about Christmas in Christ Chapel this year can be found on https://gustavus.edu/events/ccc/. Tickets for Christmas in Christ Chapel may be reserved at http://gustavustickets.universitytickets.com/.
Festival of Saint Lucia
Since 1941, the Gustavus community has celebrated the Swedish festival of St. Lucia, which honors a martyred saint, by choosing five sophomore women to be part of the Lucia Court. These women are selected by their peers based on the qualities represented in Lucia herself - leadership, service to others, charity, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Sophomores are chosen because they are the age Lucia was when she died for her faith - 20 years.
The festival, customarily celebrated in Sweden on Dec. 13, originated as a family celebration. The oldest daughter in each household takes on the role of St. Lucia, waking early and preparing breakfast for her family, then singing them awake with carols. Wearing a crown of lighted candles, Lucia represents the return of light that ends the long winter nights and serves as a symbol of hope and peace for the Christmas season.
The annual celebration at Gustavus is sponsored by the Gustavus Library Associates with support from the Office of College Relations, the Chaplains' Office, and the Guild of St. Lucia. The Guild was created at a time in history when women were not allowed into other honor societies. It is a prestigious group of women leaders at Gustavus, recognized for their academic and community leadership.
The festival begins at about 5 a.m. when St. Lucia and her court go caroling through the campus residence halls. There is a special worship service at 10 a.m. in Christ Chapel to crown Lucia for the new year, and to hear a homily by the reigning Lucia from the outgoing year.
Gustavus' Festival of St. Lucia is open and free to the public. Tickets are, however, required for the traditional Swedish smorgasbord that follows the festival; seating is limited. Reservations for the luncheon can be made at http://gustavustickets.universitytickets.com/.
Martin Luther King Day
The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture emphasizes the continuing struggle for civil rights. This event is sponsored by the Office of the Chaplains, Center for Inclusive Excellence, Peace Studies Program, President's Office, and Target. For more information, visit the lecture webpage.
Building Bridges
Information about Building Bridges can be found at https://gustavus.edu/diversity/buildingbridges/.
Faculty Tenure Service
MAYDAY! Peace Conference
The annual MAYDAY! Peace Conference was established at Gustavus in 1981. It was founded and is sustained by the generosity of the late Florence and Raymond Sponberg of North Mankato, MN.
The Conference occurs on the last Wednesday in April or the first Wednesday in May each year. The MAYDAY! Peace Conference is open to the public, and no fees or reservations are required to attend.
Past conference themes include:
- Navigating Conflict (2024)
- The Future of U.S. Education: Who decides what gets taught? (2023)
- Growing Peace Builders (2022)
- Voices of Change: Our Generation of Student Activism (2021)
- War on the Press: At Home and Abroad (2019)
- Mighty Be Our Powers: Gender, Justice, and Peacebuilding (2018)
- What Would You Do? Mass Surveillance and the Citizen (2017)
- Divestment and Reinvestment: Making Money Count (2016)
- The War Within: Can the Soldier Be at Peace? (2015)
- Tibet: Finding Hope in Exile (2014)
- Decision: Roe v Wade (2013)
- Multi Cultural Sweden (2012)
- Executing Justice—Debating Capital Punishment (2011)
- Imagining Peace (2010)
- Tiananmen +20 Years (2009)
- Troubled Water (2008)
- Community Food Security (2007)
- AIDS + AFRICA: The Unfolding Crisis (2006)
- Energy for Peace (2005)
- The United Nations at the Crossroads (2004)
- World Religions: Waging War or Promoting Peace (2003)
- Sanctions and Beyond: What is the Human Price? (2002)
- Revisiting the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux after 150 Years (2001)
- Vietnam: 25 Years On (2000)
- Toward a World Ban on Landmines (1999)
- Immigration and Social Justice (1998)
- The Family and Public Policy (1997)
- Land Rights, Land Use, and Social Justice (1996)
- The Challenge of Building a Non-Violent Global Community (1995)
- Building Community from the Inside Out (1994)
- Overcoming Violence in Our Lives (1993)
- Food for a Peaceable World (1992)
- U.S. Policy in the Middle East: What Roads to Peace? (1991)
- Making Peace with the Earth (1990)
- Other Voices„Global Perspectives on the Arms Race (1989)
- Building on Hope: Working for Peace (1988)
- Wages of War, Profits of Peace (1987)
- Schooling for Peace (1986)
- To Negotiate a Peace (1985)
- Making Peace in a War-Keeping World (1984)
- Seeing through and beyond the Mushroom Cloud (1983)
- The Response of Faith to the Nuclear Dilemma (1982)
- Arms Control-MAYDAY! MAYDAY! (1981)