Recognizing religious observances

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Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

DePaul is a university community that welcomes people of every faith and spiritual tradition. We encourage our students, faculty, and staff to celebrate within their own traditions while honoring the traditions of others. This commitment reflects our Catholic, Vincentian mission and our belief that recognizing and respecting religious celebrations strengthens our shared community and the values that guide our work together.

Around this time of year, several faith communities observe meaningful holy days and celebrations:

• The Muslim community is now observing the holy month of Ramadan, a time devoted to prayer, reflection, charitable giving, and fasting from dawn until sunset. Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, expected later this month with the sighting of the moon.
• Catholic and Protestant Christians, currently walking through the season of Lent, observe Holy Week March 29 – April 5 and Easter on April 5, while Orthodox Christians celebrate Holy Week April 5 – 12, with Easter on April 12.
• The Hindu community recently celebrated Holi, a festival that marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.
• The Jewish community recently celebrated Purim and will soon observe Passover beginning at sundown on April 1 and lasting eight days. Passover commemorates themes of liberation and renewal.

Please read the messages below from our Muslim Chaplain Abdul Malik Ryan, Jewish Life Chaplain Kayla Schneider-Smith, and Director of Catholic Campus Ministry Rachelle Kramer, with more guidance about observing Ramadan, Passover, and Easter.

We ask members of the DePaul community to help create space for these traditions to be practiced and honored. Faculty, staff, and students may request religious accommodations as they observe these holidays. We encourage instructors, supervisors, and colleagues to offer flexibility whenever possible so members of our community can participate fully in their faith traditions.

Mission and Ministry provides a religious observance calendar with guidance and suggested accommodations to help faculty and staff plan classes, programs, and events with awareness of significant religious holidays throughout the academic year. The following guidelines outline how members of our university community can best accommodate those celebrating religious holidays:  

1. Refrain from scheduling important or mandatory events, activities, or deadlines on key religious dates. 
2. Faculty, staff, and students may request a day off. Please honor these requests and refer to Human Resources for more information on accommodations. 
3. Faculty, staff, and students may be fasting, so it is suggested that activities and events not include food. 
4. Please consider dietary restrictions that may apply (including kosher, halal, or vegetarian). 
5. Jewish and Muslim holidays begin at sundown. Offering additional time for faculty, staff, and students to prepare or travel prior to sundown is appreciated.

We are grateful to DePaul’s Student Government Association for requesting that we share this information with the university community. We appreciate SGA’s leadership and their ongoing dedication to advocate in the best interest of our students.

We hope this spring season of reflection and celebration brings peace and renewal to all.

Sincerely,



Robert L. Manuel
President

Dania Matos
Senior Vice President, Belonging, Engagement and Mission

Kimberlie Goldsberry
Vice President, Belonging, Engagement and Mission

Mark Laboe
Interim Vice President, Mission and Ministry
A note on Ramadan from Abdul Malik Ryan, Muslim Chaplain

Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims around the world and a meaningful time for many members of the DePaul community. During this month, Muslims fast each day from dawn until sunset (Maghrib).

The fast begins before dawn with a meal called Suhoor and ends at sunset with Iftar, the breaking of the fast. Iftar usually includes prayer, community gatherings, and traditional foods. Many Muslims continue their five daily prayers and may attend a special nightly prayer called Tarawih. At DePaul, students gather for prayer and reflection in the Muslim Life Centers on both the Lincoln Park and Loop campuses.

We invite you to join us for an Interfaith Community Iftar this Thursday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center, room 120AB. Please RSVP here.

Because Ramadan includes early mornings, evening prayers, and daily fasting, flexibility and understanding from instructors, supervisors, and colleagues can make a meaningful difference. The month continues until the sighting of the crescent moon and concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, expected around March 20, marking the end of the fast.
A note on Passover from Kayla Schneider-Smith, Jewish Chaplain

Passover, or Pesach, is a significant holiday in the Jewish tradition that commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. The holiday begins at sundown on April 1 this year and lasts eight days.

Many Jewish families mark the start of Passover with a Seder, a ritual meal that retells the story of liberation through symbolic foods and shared traditions. During the holiday, those observing refrain from eating leavened foods and instead eat matzah and other foods prepared according to Passover traditions.

Because Passover begins at sundown and often involves preparation, travel, and family gatherings, students, faculty, and staff may request flexibility in schedules or deadlines. At DePaul, Jewish Life also gathers the community for opportunities to reflect and celebrate during the holiday. 

DePaul Jewish Life Kehilla will be hosting our second annual Passover Bazaar with traditional Passover foods and activities on Monday, April 6 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Student Center 314AB. All are welcome. Additionally, Metro Chicago Hillel will be hosting a variety of seders on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2 for college students and young adults around the city. Find more information here:  https://www.metrochicagohillel.org/passover-2026
A note on Holy Week and Easter from Rachelle Kramer, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry

For Catholic and Protestant Christians, Holy Week and Easter are the climax and most sacred season of the liturgical year. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (March 29) with the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, followed by his Passion, or suffering, crucifixion, and death. This is followed by the three most sacred days of the year, called the Sacred Triduum, or “three days,” though these days are considered one continuous celebration that culminates in the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening.

The Sacred Triduum begins with Holy Thursday (Protestant traditions typically name this Maundy Thursday) on April 2. Ritual practices vary among Christian traditions for the Triduum: Roman Catholics recall the Passover of the Jewish people, highlight the institution of the Eucharist, and reflect on the call to mutual love and service through the ritual washing of the feet.

Good Friday on April 3 again recalls Jesus’ Passion (suffering, crucifixion, and death), and Holy Saturday — also known as the Easter Vigil — celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. This is the culmination of the entire liturgical year, when many unique rituals are observed: the celebration of Christ, the light, triumphing over darkness, scripture readings recalling the history of salvation, and new members baptized and welcomed into the church. It is a time of joy and celebration!

The Triduum and Easter services will be celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1010 W Webster Ave. on: 
April 2: Holy Thursday | 7:30 p.m.
April 3: Good Friday | 7:30 p.m.
April 4: Easter Vigil | 7:30 p.m.
April 5: Easter Sunday | 8 a.m. | 10 a.m.

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