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| A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
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There are many moments each year when I marvel at students’ leadership and care across our University Chaplaincy communities. And the time I spend each April with our Senior and Young Alumni Awards selection committee is one of them. This year, we received over seventy nominations for twenty-nine young alumni and graduating seniors across five categories: support for religious and philosophical communities, multifaith engagement, education on faith and social issues, spiritual care, and young alumni leadership. The words and phrases above, captured from these nominations, offer a glimpse of the many gifts students share with us at Tufts and the ways they model leadership and transform our communities year by year. And they transform each of us! I know that I wouldn’t be doing this work of University Chaplaincy and spiritual leadership without our students’ creativity and wisdom, their provocation and passion. My own religious practice and philosophical understandings are ever broadened and deepened by these amazing Tufts students and young alumni, and I am so excited to celebrate all of our nominees.
All are welcome to join us next Wednesday, April 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Interfaith Center for our annual Senior and Young Alumni Awards (RSVP below!). In addition to mocktails and appetizers, you will hear a wonderful performance by Voices for Peace and Light Choir and witness the lighter side of our chaplains as we fully embrace the sillier aspects of awards shows!
Pax et Lux,
Elyse Nelson Winger
University Chaplain
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Upcoming Signature Events
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Senior and Young Alumni Awards Night 2026
Wednesday, April 29, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Interfaith Center
Each year, the University Chaplaincy hosts a Senior and Young Alumni Awards Celebration to honor and uplift the wonderful contributions of our seniors and young alumni across all of our religious and philosophical communities. Our multifaith choir Voices for Peace and Light will perform, all seniors will receive their graduation cords, and all nominees will be honored! All are welcome. Join us for appetizers and mocktails by RSVP'ing below!
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Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
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Vesak: The Buddha Day Celebration
Sunday, April 26, 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Interfaith Center, 58 Winthrop Street
Join us as we celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. This sacred occasion is known as Vesak in many countries. We will honor the Buddha and his teachings with beautiful Vesak lanterns made by our sangha. You will have the opportunity to take part in rituals, chanting, and to listen to reflections from Buddhist teachers. Dinner will be served afterward—please join us by registering using the link below. For questions, contact Buddhist Chaplain Mahayaye Vineetha.
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Film Screening: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Tuesday, April 28, 6:00 p.m., Interfaith Center, 58 Winthrop St.
The Tufts University Interfaith Student Council invites you to join us for a screening of Everything Everywhere All At Once! Take your mind off the end of the semester with ice cream sundaes, crafts, and good company. All are welcome. We hope to see you there! Please email Associate Director Lynn Cooper with any questions.
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Spiritual Activism
Monday April 27, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Interfaith Center, 58 Winthrop St.
Join S.B. Keshava Swami, UCL graduate, Harvard Fellow and 25-year monk, for a conversation with Ryan Friedman, Fletcher graduate, retired Air Force captain and founder of Yoga Education Nonprofit Practices and Perspectives. Come for an interactive evening filled with ancient wisdom, music meditation, and vibrant community! For questions, contact Buddhist Chaplain Mahayaye Vineetha.
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Resources and Opportunities
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DSDI Scavenger Hunt
Friday, April 24, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., All DSDI Centers
Start the hunt by entering any identity center to complete a challenge and pick up a scavenger hunt passport. After visiting three centers and completing the challenges, submit your passport for a Spring Fling Swag Bag at the Remis Sculpture Court!
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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.
Ridvan
Tue., Apr. 21 – Sat., May 2, 2026
Tradition: Baha'i
Commemorates the 12 days that Baha’u’llah spent in the Garden of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Baghdad, during which time he proclaimed himself as the one announced by the Bab. Work is suspended for the first, ninth and 12th days.
Beltane
Thursday, April 30 – Friday, May 1, 2026
Tradition: Wicca/Paganism
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. The final fertility festival, celebrating the Earth's fecundity and anticipating the power of the sun and the Earth in summer.
Ghambar Maidyozarem
Thursday, April 30 – Monday, May 4, 2026
Tradition: Zoroanstrainism
Celebrates the creation of the sky and harvesting of the winter crop.
Wesak (Buddha Day)
Friday, May 1, 2026
Tradition: Buddhism
The commemoration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana, celebrated on the day of the full moon of the sixth lunar month in Southeast Asian cultures; in Tibetan culture, Wesak commemorates only the enlightenment and parinirvana. The dates of this celebration vary significantly among Buddhist cultures and communities.
Ascension of Jesus
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Tradition: Christanity-Catholic and Protestant
The celebration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven and enthronement as universal sovereign. It comes 40 days after Easter. The date observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics is different from the date observed by Orthodox Christians.
Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox)
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Tradition: Orthodox Christians
The celebration of Jesus' ascension into heaven and enthronement as universal sovereign. It comes 40 days after Easter.
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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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