St John the Evangelist Chapel

Feast of Pope St John XXIII

Mass for the Feast of Pope St John XXIII

St John the Evangelist Chapel

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Welcome to the

ANU Catholic Society

The home of Catholic students at Australia's national university

Fides et Ratio

Our motto, Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason), is inspired by St Thomas Aquinas - one of the Church's greatest theologians. St Aquinas taught that rigorous intellectual inquiry and deep faith not only coexist, but flourish together.

In this spirit, our Society provides a Catholic community that grounds our members in faith as they deepen their understanding of the world at university.

Membership is free for all ANU students.

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What's on

Holy Hour and Confession - 5pm every Friday

Mass - 6pm every Friday

We also organise a range of other events including faith formation, community fellowship, and volunteering.

More events

The mentorship and networking program for Catholic students, graduates, and young professionals in Canberra.

Organised by the ANU Catholic Society.

Learn more

We were delighted to welcome the Hon Justice Simon Steward AC of the High Court of Australia to deliver a public address on jurisprudence and theology last night. The event served as the ACT launch of the Australian Catholic Students Association National Conference, which will be held in Sydney from 3–5 July 2026.

Justice Steward spoke on the influence of theology on the development of equity, particularly in relation to the doctrine of unconscionable conduct. The lecture prompted rich discussion amongst attendees about equity, theology, and the role of normative standards in the law.

Thank you to everyone who attended the lecture. For those interested in attending ACSA's National Conference, registration details can be found via the link in our bio.

@auscathstudents @saintchristophercathedral @cgcatholic

We were delighted to welcome Fr Anthony Walsh OP for our Dominican Retreat and Mass on Sunday!

Fr Anthony spoke about Dominican spirituality and the pursuit of truth, encouraging us to see our studies not as separate from our faith, but as a form of prayer. He reflected on St Thomas Aquinas' understanding of truth as the conformity of the mind to reality. To study creation seriously, then, is not merely an academic exercise, but an opportunity to grow in knowledge of the Creator Himself — the One who is 'the way, the truth, and the life'.

Before the retreat, many of us enjoyed lunch generously hosted by John XXIII College. During this time, we had the opportunity to speak with Fr Anthony and hear stories from his time at John’s and ANU.

We are very grateful to Fr Anthony and the Dominican Order for their continued support of the ANU Catholic Society. We also thank John XXIII College for their warm and generous hospitality.

Yes - you read that right!

Join us for Mass this 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝟰.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Anthony Walsh O.P. at the St John the Evangelist Chapel, 51 Daley Road.

Adoration and confessions will commence from 4pm. All are welcome to attend.

Join us next 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, for a Dominican Retreat and Mass led by Fr Anthony Walsh OP.

Fr Anthony is the Master of Novices at St Laurence’s Priory in Adelaide and an alumnus of both John XXIII College and ANU.

This is a great opportunity for prayer, reflection, and fellowship in the Dominican tradition.

Please register by 𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. A valid ANU Catholic Society 2026 membership is required and can be obtained free of charge. Links for both in bio.

We look forward to seeing you at the retreat!

@saintchristophercathedral @cgcatholic @ordo_praedicatorum

Join us for Mass on campus every Friday at 6pm! Mass is held at the St John the Evangelist Chapel, 51 Daley Road.

Last week, we were delighted to be joined at Mass by the Sisters of the Congregation of Mary Queen of Peace. In discussions after Mass, they shared about their work both in Vietnam and here in Canberra. Thanks also to Fr Mark Ha for celebrating Mass.

#cgcatholic #stchristopherscathedral

Today, we honour all who have served our nation — the fallen, the wounded, and those who continue to serve. We remember their courage and their sacrifice.

We commend them to the Risen Lord, who knows the depth of suffering, and the hope of new life.

Like the early Christians, we pray for that day foretold by the prophet Isaiah, when 'nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more'.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Lest we forget.

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗖𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Australian Catholic Students Association (ACSA), the ANU Catholic Society, and the ANU Law School are delighted to host Justice Simon Steward AC of the High Court of Australia, who will deliver a public address on jurisprudence and theology.

📍 Moot Court, ANU Law School
🗓 13 May 2026
🕠 5:30pm

This lecture will mark the ACT launch of the 2026 ACSA Conference, to be held in Sydney from 3–5 July 2026.

Spaces are limited — register now to secure your spot: https://events.humanitix.com/public-lecture-by-justice-simon-steward

@cgcatholic @acucampusmincbr @youth.cg @saintchristophercathedral @auscathstudents

“We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!”

In this Easter season, we are reminded of the joy that unites us all as Christians. For as Pope Leo XIV shared in his Easter Sunday homily, “Christ is risen from the dead, and with him, we too rise to new life!”

Across Australia and around the world, our ANU Catholic Society community has been celebrating this hope. Here are some glimpses of where our community celebrated Easter.

May this Easter season bring you the peace, hope, and joy of the Risen Lord.

Yours in Christ,
Ruben, Kyle, Peter, Samara, and Leon

He is not here for He is risen! Happy Easter from the ANU Catholic Society! Let us rejoice.

Thank you for supporting our Caritas Lenten appeal! We have raised more than double our target!

Today marked our final stall on University Avenue. With ANU's Open Day underway, we had the great opportunity to connect with many students and their families, and to share about Caritas' mission.

If you'd like to contribute, there's still 1 week left to get involved! Head over to: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/AustralianNationalUniversityCatholicSociety

#caritasaustralia #ProjectCompassion #cgcanberra #saintchristophercathedral

Thanks to everyone who came to support our Project Compassion fundraising store!

This Lent, the ANU Catholic Society is supporting Caritas' Project Compassion to help create lasting change in communities that need it most.

If you would like to support this initiative, please donate using the link below (or in the comments). Every donation makes an impact. https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/australiannationaluniversitycatholicsociety

Thank you for your generosity!

#caritas #projectcompassion #lentenappeal #cgcanberra #volunteering

You’ve met us at a very Irish time of our lives! Hope to see you all tomorrow night, in green getup of course.

Join us for our first Faith Formation session of the year with Fr Paul Rowse, OP.

Fr Rowse’s talk will draw on the writings of St Augustine in 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥 to explore what it means to be Christian. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about one of the seminal theological works of our faith.

All ANU students and staff are welcome to attend.

For further details, please send us a message or email anucathsoc@gmail.com.

We hope to see you there!

#faithformation #StAugustine #dominicanfriars #cgyouth #cgcatholic

It was our honour to welcome Archbishop Christopher Prowse to our society last night, to celebrate the Commencement Mass for this semester, meet old and new students, and give a brief and insightful talk on his own university experience, the importance of faith and reason, and the Christian faith in Australian media.

We also thank John XXIII College for their continued support of the society.

COMMENCEMENT MASS 2026

We are delighted to welcome Archbishop Christopher Prowse, who will celebrate our Commencement Mass this Friday, 27 February 2026, at St John the Evangelist Chapel, 51 Daley Road.

Mass will begin at 6:00pm, with Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation available from 5:00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Following Mass, ANU students are invited to a reception at John XXIII College. During the reception, His Grace will deliver an address and spend time in discussion with students. We are grateful to John XXIII College for their generous hospitality and for providing refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks to everyone who came to say hi at Market Day! We're so glad to have met you, and we look forward to getting to know you at our events!

Join us for Ash Wednesday Mass on campus

MEMORIAL OF ST THOMAS AQUINAS
Priest and Doctor of the Church

St Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican priest who devoted his life to studying, preaching, and teaching. He is the patron saint of students, teachers, and universities. St Aquinas stands among the greatest theologians of the Church, being the only one consistently recommended by Popes and Councils for his doctrine, method, and holiness of life.

Perhaps St Aquinas' most enduring contribution is his profound synthesis of faith and reason, articulated most clearly in his seminal work, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢. St Aquinas showed that faith and reason are not rivals, but complementary paths to truth — with each illuminating the other. This conviction lies at the heart of our own motto and mission as the ANU Catholic Society: 𝘍𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘵 𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰.

St Thomas Aquinas reminds us that rigorous intellectual inquiry and deep faith not only coexist, but truly flourish together. To study creation honestly is to grow in wonder and admiration for God Himself. In this way, St Aquinas challenges us to see our studies not merely as a means to a degree or career, but as an opportunity to glorify God through the pursuit of truth.

𝘖 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘻𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘰𝘯, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵, 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘯.

Dear friends,

As we give thanks to God for the year that has passed, we look ahead to 2026 with prayerful hearts.

Just as the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found all they had been waiting for in the birth of Christ, may we enter the new year trusting in the ways God will guide and sustain us.

On behalf of the ANU Catholic Society, we wish you a blessed New Year filled with God’s peace, hope, and love.

Yours in Christ,
Ruben, Kyle, Peter, Samara, and Leon

(𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴)

Thank you for a wonderful Semester 2! We look forward to sharing many more memorable moments together next year. Wishing everyone a holy Advent and a blessed Christmas season.

The ANU Catholic Society is delighted to announce that our Semester 2 Catholic Connect evening will be held this Friday, 24 October!

Catholic Connect is a networking and mentorship initiative that brings together students, graduates, and young professionals to meet experienced Catholics working across a range of fields.

We’re thrilled to have an exciting lineup of mentors joining us—stay tuned for more details!

The ANU Catholic Society was honoured to welcome His Excellency, Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, to campus yesterday.

His Excellency celebrated Mass in the Chapel for the Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch.

Following Mass, the ANU Catholic Society, together with the ANU International Relations Society and the ANU Society for the United Nations, had the privilege of hosting His Excellency for an evening of conversation about his mission as the Holy See’s representative to Australia. Drawing on his decades of diplomatic experience around the world, His Excellency shared insightful reflections on faith, dialogue, and international engagement.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special occasion!

Celebrating the Feast of Pope St John XXIII

We were delighted to host Fr Laurie Foote O.P. who celebrated Sunday Mass at ANU for the first time since 2022. Today is also the first feast day of newly canonised St Carlo Acutis, the Church's first millennial saint.

After Mass, Fr Laurie shared about the life of Pope St John XXIII, and how his commitment to education and social justice is a legacy the Dominican Order has continued at John XXIII College.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fantastic event! And thank you especially to John XXIII College for your warm hospitality.

Join the ANU Catholic Society and John XXIII College to celebrate the feast of Pope St John XXIII on Sunday, 12 October 2025!

For the first time since 2022, Sunday Mass will be celebrated on the ANU campus, followed by an address by Fr Laurie Foote O.P on the life and legacy of Pope St John XXIII.

Refreshments will be provided after Mass.

Please RSVP your attendance here: https://facebook.com/events/s/feast-of-pope-st-john-xxiii/1170821408241679/

See you there!

29 August - Memorial of the Passion of St John the Baptist

Called to proclaim the coming of the Messiah, St John the Baptist boldly spoke the truth in both word and deed.

Join us for Holy Hour and Mass at the St John the Evangelist Chapel, 51 Daley Road, ANU.

This Friday, 15 August, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We will be having Adoration and Reconciliation at 5pm, followed by Mass at 6pm.

It is a Holy Day of Obligation.

See you there!

HABEMUS PAPAM!

Celebrate the new Papacy and help support the ANU Catholic Society with our latest merch drop!

Orders close this Sunday 25 May so don’t miss out!!

Send us a DM to order!

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Fides et Ratio

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