Office of Religious and Spiritual Life - A proud member of <a href="http://www.mcgill.ca/studentservices/">ºÃÉ«TVl Student Services</a> /morsl/articles/rss en All Saints Day and Trinity Sunday /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days-interfaith-dialogue/all-saints-day-and-trinity-sunday <p>For many Eastern Christians, June 15, 2025 was <b>All Saints Day</b>—a time to honour the lives of saints across the centuries. But this isn’t just about a few well-known figures. It’s a sweeping celebration of <i>all</i> saints—famous or forgotten, ancient or recent, from every walk of life—who have lived lives of faith and devotion.</p> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:11:01 +0000 MORSL 2972 at /morsl Reflections on Climate Chaplaincy /morsl/article/ecospirituality-spiritual-wellness/reflections-climate-chaplaincy <p>In their recent podcasts and webinars, the team at the <a href="https://thebtscenter.org/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-16---22&amp;utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&amp;utm_term=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-16--22">BTS Centre</a> have been exploring climate chaplaincy―that is, spiritual care focused on navigating the anxieties, grief, and uncertainty associated with the climate crisis―through many different lenses and from diverse angles.</p> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:04:21 +0000 Carlene Gardner 2971 at /morsl Shavuot, Hajj, Eid al-Adha, and Pentecost /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days-interfaith-dialogue/shavuot-hajj-eid-al-adha-and-pentecost <p>This week, there are several holidays that commemorate past receipt of sacred knowledge, texts, and/or gifts. Each offers rich communal and personal faith experiences.</p> Fri, 30 May 2025 20:13:27 +0000 MORSL 2965 at /morsl International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is May 17 /morsl/article/international-day-against-homophobia-may-17 <p><b>May 17</b> is <b>International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia</b> (IDAHOBIT), a day to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ people and ways their rights are violated and to advocate for change across the globe. It is also a time to celebrate the progress that has already been made. This day was chosen to remember May 17, 1990, the date the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Over 150 countries participate and you can find events at <a href="https://may17.org/">may17.org</a>.</p> Thu, 15 May 2025 15:29:07 +0000 MORSL 2963 at /morsl Creating Sacred Space This Summer /morsl/article/spiritual-wellness/creating-sacred-space-summer <p>Looking to cultivate greater inner wellness this summer? Whether you're back home or still in school, MORSL has some resources and recommendations:</p> Thu, 15 May 2025 15:27:27 +0000 MORSL 2962 at /morsl What is Vesak? /morsl/article/what-vesak <p>The celebration of Buddha's birthday is one of the most important Buddhist holy days. It is an especially important day for Theravada and Tibetan Buddhists that commemorates the birth, awakening and passing away of Buddha. It goes by many names, including Wesak or Vesak, and is usually celebrated on the first full moon in May, or the month that most closely corresponds in the Western calendar to the ancient lunar month Vesakha. This year, the full moon is on <b>May 12</b>.</p> Mon, 12 May 2025 13:55:26 +0000 Carlene Gardner 2961 at /morsl Doubt and Disorientation /morsl/article/spiritual-wellness/doubt-and-disorientation <p>It's 3 AM and you stare with bleary eyes into the darkness. You've tossed and turned half the night, desperately seeking the relief of sleep's blissful oblivion. Before bed, you nervously bit your fingernails to mangled little stubs. Earlier that day you may have lacked the appetite for dinner, feeling a dull despair, as though meaning were slowly bleeding out of your life.</p> Tue, 06 May 2025 16:29:46 +0000 Andrea Lefoley 2958 at /morsl A Hymn /morsl/article/ecospirituality-spiritual-wellness/hymn <p>Said the human to God: I want to know you.</p> <p>Please teach me how. Lead me your way.</p> <p>God said: Start with these small drops of rain</p> <p>And dig your knuckles into earth’s fragrant terrain</p> <p> </p> <p>Once you see, you cannot unsee.</p> <p>With only two eyes, sip tenderly.</p> <p>Magic is Alive.</p> <p>In everything, there is infinitely more          Growth</p> <p>So wake the morning with your roar            An Oath</p> <p>Open your mouth like a baby bird stretching its view</p> <p>And let the sweet words of prayer speak you</p> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:48:28 +0000 Anonymous 2956 at /morsl Waltz /morsl/article/spiritual-wellness/waltz <p>I like the word waltz,</p> <p>so I kept it for the title.</p> <p>Though it has no immediate relevance</p> <p>to this serenade of randomness;</p> <p>no particular thing to say:</p> <p>only a desire to soar with you</p> <p>in our minds, with our hearts;</p> <p>as kindred spirits can only do.</p> <p> </p> <p>The other day while I was on the bus,</p> <p>burdened by burdens,</p> <p>i thought of heaven.</p> <p>I never really thought of heaven like I did that day;</p> <p>it brought tears to my eyes.</p> <p> </p> <p>How I longed for heaven at that time:</p> <p>i saw the beauty;</p> Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:47:36 +0000 Sara Cornett 2951 at /morsl Meet Nicholas /morsl/article/interfaith-dialogue-meditation-spiritual-wellness/meet-nicholas <p>Hello! My name is Nicholas, and I’m a U3 International Development Student. I’m half Canadian and half Colombian, but I grew up in the tiny Southeast Asian nation of Brunei, where I lived for seventeen years. Growing up in Southeast Asia exposed me to various traditions and led me to take an interest in Buddhism along with other Eastern philosophies. Meditation and mindfulness are central to my daily routine and have permanently changed my life for the better. I have undertaken over two hundred hours of Vipassana meditation training and am currently running the ºÃÉ«TVl Meditation Club.</p> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:34:56 +0000 MORSL 2946 at /morsl