Catholic Chapel
Bethlehem Chapel is Brandeis’ Catholic chapel. It opened in 1955 and was named by Boston Archbishop Richard J. Cushing. All are welcome here for peaceful reflection and spiritual exploration. Mass is held weekly on Sundays at 10 a.m. during the academic year. Outside of Mass, Catholic Student Organization meetings, and special events, the chapel is open to all for personal prayer.
Located on Chapels Pond, adjacent to Chapels Field, the space is automatically open to all Brandeis students via swipe access. Staff, faculty, and summer students can request access by emailing slife@brandeis.edu. The chapel is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Resources for prayer and devotional practices:
- Bibles and Catholic literature
- Rosaries
- Confessional
- Stations of the Cross
- Blessed Sacrament
- Upright piano
Please observe the following policies while in Bethlehem Chapel:
- Please help us maintain a quiet and peaceful atmosphere so others can reflect or pray in stillness.
- Bibles, Catholic literature, and rosaries are available. Enjoy them while you're here, but please leave them in the chapel.
- Feel free to use the piano! Just close the cover after playing, and keep food or drinks away.
- Make sure not to blow out the red sanctuary candle—it remains lit as a sign of the presence of the Eucharist (indicating Jesus’ presence in the Catholic tradition).
- The altar is used during services and is considered sacred. It is not to be used as a table, and no items should be placed on it outside of services.
- Do not remove lectionary from the pulpit, but you are always welcome to look at the readings within.
- If you move chairs, please return them to their original position after use.
- Absolutely no unsealed food may be left in the chapel. Please avoid disposing of food trash in the chapel, as it is not removed on a daily basis. Events wishing to serve food may be required to arrange Custodial Services in order to ensure adequate trash removal.
- If you discover that the trash bins are overflowing, please dispose of your trash in another location, place a Facilities Work Order, or notify slife@brandeis.edu as a last resort.
- If you would like to hold a student event in Bethlehem Chapel, please contact slife@brandeis.edu to discuss the possibility. Unauthorized events are not permitted, and may result in revocation of access. Small prayer groups may meet in the space without official reservation, but acknowledge that priority will be given to another group if a reservation is made.