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| A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
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Caribbean Sea, Qintana Roo, Mexico
Photo by Humanist Chaplain Anthony Cruz Pantojas
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While spring has officially arrived, we might still feel in a state of transition, especially when we are not yet experiencing warmer weather. It is around this time that, even in the Caribbean, where I call homespace, many begin to get excited because although the ocean is accessible all year round, at certain times of the year, people are drawn to come together to enjoy and be in almost a communal experience. As a person raised on a Caribbean island, I have always held a profound respect for all biodiversity and bodies of water. Particularly, the ocean that, for me, constantly serves as a physical and philosophical place of depth and mystery.
More recently, I have been contemplating a Yoruba proverb that evokes an inner and outer reflexive state of being between my knowing and the hidden or submerged depth of my subconscious that I have been grappling with; this has felt especially true returning from spring break recently and orienting to the rest of the semester. The proverb goes: A kò rí ìdí òkun; a kò rí ìdí odò /No one knows the foundation of the ocean; no one perceives the foundation of the river.
There is a stance of acknowledgement, humility, and mutual recognition in this proverb that is an invitation for me. I do not need to know fully or even pretend to grasp what is next in my life, program-wise, or even my next word of insight. In seasons of transitions, when we have not yet arrived, perhaps it is best not to rush but honor the mystery we carry within, the relationships that have journeyed with us— the same way the ocean holds what we cannot yet see or never will, without urgency.
May the next few weeks serve as a time to offer yourself the opportunity of being with what is still yet surfacing in your lives and the realities in which you move and exist.
Anthony Cruz Pantojas
Humanist Chaplain and Coordinator of Africana Spirituality
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Upcoming Signature Events
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Spring 2026 Interfaith Field Trips
Join the University Chaplaincy on its spring Interfaith Field Trip Series! We will be visiting St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA on Wednesday, April 1 (6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) and the secular Jewish cultural organization Boston Worker’s Circle on Monday, April 13 (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.). You can sign up for one or both, and all travel and meal costs are covered. Undergraduate and graduate students are all welcome! Please email the University Chaplaincy with any questions, and RSVP today!
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Tufts Table: Stories that Shape Our Community: Where Paths Cross & Diverge
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Breed Hall, 51 Winthrop Street
Open to All Tufts students, faculty, and staff! This event will highlight the important work of the Prejudice to Pluralism cohort and invite us to reflect on how we can productively engage across differences at Tufts. Guided by a pluralism framework, we will explore ways to strengthen relationships and collaborate on shared concerns. Learn more about the Tufts Table here.
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Tufts University Chaplaincy Senior and Young Alumni Awards
Nominate by Monday, April 20
The Senior and Young Alumni Awards celebrate the wonderful seniors and young alumni across Tufts’ religious and philosophical communities. Help recognize those who have made a meaningful impact through their leadership, presence, and care by submitting a nomination through the link below. The ceremony will be Wednesday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. at the Interfaith Center - save the date!
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Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
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Passover at Tufts Hillel
Passover is observed Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 9
Join Tufts Hillel for all or part of our Passover programming, including Seders, meals, and events. Learn more about the the Passover at Hillel here.
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Holy Week Observances: Stations of the Cross and Good Friday Service
- Stations of the Cross: Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
- Good Friday Service: Friday, and April 3, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
We gather on Good Friday at noon in Goddard Chapel to bear witness to Christ’s suffering and death. This ecumenical service is a time of prayer, song, and readings interspersed with the extinguishing of candles in the tradition of Tenebrae. It will also feature the veneration of the Cross. University Chaplaincy Associate Director and Catholic Chaplain Lynn Cooper will preside, and Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell will preach. Also, on Holy Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., in Goddard Chapel, all are welcome to reflect on the final hours of Christ’s earthly life, Passion, and death during this solemn practice of guided prayer with art and movement, led by Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell. Please email Catholic Chaplain Lynn Cooper or Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell with any questions.
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Stations of the Cross
Friday, April 3, 3 p.m., Goddard Chapel
Each year, during Holy Week, we dwell in the story of Jesus’ passion. We read and reread the scriptures, but there is one practice that brings it all to life, inviting the faithful to experience this story in an embodied way—the way of the cross. Join us for a pilgrimage through Goddard Chapel, Stations of the Cross for Migrants and Immigrants at the holy hour of 3 p.m. and together we will place ourselves within the drama of Jesus’ last day. Contact Catholic Chaplain Lynn Cooper with any questions.
Stations of the Cross will also be held on Holy Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., in Goddard Chapel. All are welcome to reflect on the final hours of Christ’s earthly life, Passion, and death during this solemn practice of guided prayer with art and movement, led by Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell.
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Spring Death Café
Friday, April 3, 6:30 p.m., Breed Memorial Hall
Join the Humanist Chaplaincy and the Humanist Community at Tufts (HCAT) for their second spring signature event. Death Cafés are an opportunity to reflect, make new friends, and develop a new understanding of the world and how you fit into it. Dinner will be provided. Scan the QR code or press the RSVP link here to register. Contact the Humanist Community at Tufts with any questions.
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Tufts Sikh Student Association - Community Dinner
Friday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. onwards, Interfaith Center
Join the newly reinstated Sikh Student Association (SSA) for the Community Dinner! As the SSA re-activates as a student organization on campus, all are invited to come together for an evening of food, connection, and community. Everyone is welcome. RSVP below! Email the SSA with any questions.
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Easter Sunday Celebrations
Sunday, April 5, 2026
- Easter Egg Hunt, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., President’s Lawn
- Easter Mass with the Catholic Community, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
- Easter Dinner featuring music by S-Factor, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Interfaith Center
For those who wish, please join us after the egg hunt for a walk to the Interfaith Center for a time of decorating! All are welcome. Also, please note that Protestant Evening Worship will not be held on Easter. Sponsored by Tufts’ undergraduate Christian student organizations: Asian Baptist Fellowship, C. Stacey Woods/InterVaristy, Catholic Community at Tufts, Daily Flame, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and Protestant Students Association. Please email Protestant Chaplain Dan Bell with any questions.
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Roots Run Deep: Culture, Spirit, & Mental Health
April 8, 5:00 p.m., Latinx Center
An exploratory and dialogic encounter at the intersection of lived and embodied traditions and mental health. This program is centered on Latiné and Afro-Caribbean ways of knowing and being in a communal space to listen, reflect, and be! Join us while enjoying good company and delicious food/ ¡Ven y disfruta buena compañía y comida deliciosa! Co-Sponsored by the Latinx Center, Counseling and Mental Health Services, and the Humanist Chaplaincy. Email Humanist Chaplain Anthony Cruz Pantojas with any questions.
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Spring Religion Department Open House
Monday, April 6, 12:00 p.m., Eaton 171
The Religions Department is very excited to host the annual Religion Spring Open House! This is a great way to learn more about what the Religion Department has to offer at Tufts, discover Fall 2026 course offerings and chat with faculty and current students. Lunch will be provided! There will also be a special discussion with Associate Professor of Religion, Joseph Walser titled "Who count as a Jew? Who counts as a Hindu? Law and Religious Identity."
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BE HEaRD Poetry Night
Wednesday, April 8, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Alumnae Lounge
Join HEaRD Life at Tufts for BE HEaRD Poetry Night, an open mic space for students to share poetry, spoken word, and personal stories in honor of Poetry Month. Rooted in connection and community, the evening offers a welcoming space to listen, reflect, and be heard. Dinner will be provided, RSVP today!
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Resources and Opportunities
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2026 Secular Student Activist Scholarships!
Each year, the Secular Student Alliance recognizes and supports outstanding students who are not only excelling academically, but also leading the way in advancing secular values, critical thinking, and social justice on their campuses and in their communities. These scholarships help ensure that passionate student leaders have the resources they need to continue their education and their advocacy. There are various scholarships and deadlines - learn more about them through the link below!
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To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, including information about seeking religious accommodations at Tufts, please follow the link to the Tufts Multifaith Calendar.
Lent
Wed., Feb. 18 - Sat. Apr. 4
Tradition: Christian-Catholic and Protestant
In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter. Observance(s) during this time may include fasting.
Passover/Pesach
Wed., Apr. 1 – Thu., Apr. 9, 2026
Tradition: Judaism
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that re-enacts that ancient deliverance and emphasizes the freedom of the Jews under the guidance of God.
Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Catholic and Protestant
Commemorates the institution of the Lord’s Supper/the Eucharist by Jesus prior to his arrest and execution. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin text of John 13:34, in which Jesus gives a mandatum novum (“new commandment”).
Anniversary of the Founding of the Church
Fri., Apr. 3, 2026
Tradition: Latter Day Saints
Annual World General Conference of the Church held on Saturday and Sunday closest to this date each year.
Good Friday/Holy Friday
Friday, April 3, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Catholic and Protestant
Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his death by crucifixion. Observed as Holy Friday by Orthodox Christians on a different date from the one observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work and may include fasting.
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tradition:Christianity-Catholic and Protestant
Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. The date observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics differs from the date observed by Orthodox Christians.
Great Lent
Ongoing through Sat., Apr. 11, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
In Orthodox churches, the first day of Lent marks the beginning of the Great Fast, the final six weeks of a 10-week period leading up to Holy Week and Easter (Pascha). In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter.
Palm Sunday (Orthodox)
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
Celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Holy Week that culminates in Easter or Pascha. In some churches, Palm Sunday is combined with the anticipation of Christ’s death and so is also known as “Passion Sunday.” Orthodox Christians observe this Sunday on a date different from the date on which Protestant and Roman Catholics observe it.
Holy Thursday
Thu., Apr. 9, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
Commemorates the institution of the Lord’s Supper/the Eucharist by Jesus prior to his arrest and execution. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin text of John 13:34, in which Jesus gives a mandatum novum (“new commandment”). The date observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics differs from the date observed by Orthodox Christians.
Holy Friday
Fri., Apr. 10, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his death by crucifixion. Observed as Holy Friday by Orthodox Christians on a different date from the one observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics.
Easter Sunday
Sun., Apr. 12, 2026
Tradition: Christianity-Orthodox
Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians observe Easter on a different date than Orthodox Christians.
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Support the University Chaplaincy
Supporting programs at Tufts University in religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life is easy and vital to our work. To donate, please click on the button below. Thank you for your generosity.
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The University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide spiritual care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
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