Marquette University Chapel Policies

Published and effective as of January 1, 2023; as amended September 5, 2024

The Chapel of the Holy Family, the Chapel of St. Therese of Lisieux, the Residence Hall Chapels, and the St. Joan of Arc Chapel are administered by Campus Ministry.  The chapels are houses of worship.

We are happy to host your group in these sacred spaces.  The following policies are set forth to ensure that your event is successful and that the chapels are properly maintained.  We ask for your cooperation in following these policies, and we reserve the right to revoke any group’s use of the chapel if these policies are not adhered to.

Please note that these policies are subject to revision.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Thank you!

I. GENERAL NORMS

I.1. The Chapel of the Holy Family, the Chapel of St. These of Lisieux, the Residence Hall Chapels, and the St. Joan of Arc Chapel are sacred spaces available for events which have either worship or faith development as their primary focus. Groups whose events are not primarily worship or spiritual formation will be asked to find an alternative location. In order to maintain the integrity of these spaces, Campus Ministry may request to see an outline or copy of a script/order of worship for your event before confirming your reservation. All uses of the chapels, including tours and secular activities, will be approved solely where such approval furthers the mission of Marquette University and serves the spiritual, pastoral, and formative needs of the Marquette University community and the universal Church.

I.2. Our chapels are not parishes of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. For that reason, the celebration of the sacraments is restricted to Eucharist and Reconciliation. Celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders is not permitted.  Each chapel may have its own additional rules and limitations on use.

I.3. The chapels are public places of worship and witness. Therefore, all events held in the chapels are also public. Those using the chapels must leave the doors unlocked and refrain from obstructing the windows in any way.  No fee may be charged or collected by any group reserving any chapel for any event occurring in any of the chapels, nor may attendance be limited, without the prior written consent of the Director of Campus Ministry or the Assistant Director for Liturgical Programs.

I.4. Submission of a reservation request is not a guarantee of permission to use the chapels. Campus Ministry reserves the right to reject or refuse any reservation request for any reason. Campus Ministry further reserves the right to cancel, void, or otherwise terminate any reservation already approved when, in the judgment of the Assistant Director for Liturgical Programs or the Director of Campus Ministry such cancellation, voiding, or termination is appropriate.

I.5. Fee For Use: All who request to use our chapels are asked to consider contributing a donation of a minimum of $125 at least 10 days in advance of the confirmed reservation. This request will be waived for any group formally affiliated with Marquette University (including faculty, staff, and student groups) and for requests from Gesu Parish. Any fees or donations requested for use of the chapels are independent of fees/stipends for clerics, musicians, or other personnel who will staff the chapels.

I.6. The group or individual making the reservation will be charged the full cost of repair, replacement, or cleaning (with a minimum charge of $50) if a chapel is found in disarray or damaged (including, without limitation, damage to the furniture, carpet/flooring, linens, vessels, chairs, or books), or if the furniture was moved without prior permission of the Assistant Director for Liturgical Programs. Similarly, the group or individual making the reservation will be charged the actual replacement cost of any items found missing.

I.7. Prioritization for Use: As a general rule, Campus Ministry will prioritize reservations in the order that they are received. However, in the event of conflicting reservation requests, Campus Ministry will prioritize Marquette-affiliated groups over non-Marquette groups. Moreover, Campus Ministry may prioritize official responses to unforeseen events (such as campus tragedies) over previously scheduled events, including cancelling or rescheduling such events. The Assistant Director for Liturgical Programs and the Director of Campus Ministry have the final say to determine priority of events.

I.8. Clergy/Presiders/Prayer Leaders: Any reservation for a mass, ritual, prayer service, or similar activity that includes a leader/presider (or a group of leaders/presiders, including any vesting concelebrant) must include the names and titles of such leader(s)/presider(s) and must also provide appropriate authorization for that person or persons to lead or preside at the event. Appropriate authorization may include:

I.8.a. For Catholic Clergy of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee or members of the Marquette Jesuit Community: a statement indicating that such person has faculties within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee or has been missioned by their appropriate Major Superior to the Marquette Jesuit Community with permission for public celebration of the sacraments;

I.8.b. For All Other Catholic Clergy: a letter of good standing form their proper Ordinary that complies with the norms and procedures for such letters adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; such letter must be sent to both Campus Ministry and to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee;

I.8.c. For All Other Clergy, Clergy Equivalent, or Professional Ministers, regardless of title: a statement (including a statement from the leader/presider personally) in the manner appropriate to their own faith community, identifying the person as one who may lead or preside at the kind of service to be offered, and certifying that they are not otherwise limited, restricted, or prohibited from so doing; or

I.8.d. For Students and Employees of Marquette University, other than Clergy: verification that the person remains a student or employee at the time of the reservation and the event, and that they are not limited or restricted rom leading events on campus.

II. RESERVATIONS

II.1. Reservation requests to use either the Chapel of the Holy Family or the St. Joan of Arc Chapel are made exclusively through the online reservation form found on the Campus Ministry website; no other method of reservation will be honored. No reservation is valid unless and until confirmation is sent in writing (usually by email) to the contact person listed on the reservation form.

II.2. Reservations for the St. Therese of Lisieux Chapel or any Residence Hall Chapel may be made in writing to the Liturgical Coordinator, Assistant Director for Liturgical Programming, or to the Hall Minister for said chapel, or may be made via the form found on the Campus Ministry website.

II.3. Reservation requests for those who are not affiliated with Marquette University, other than requests from the staff or administration of Gesu Parish, require approval by the Director of Campus Ministry and the Vice President for Mission and Ministry. All other reservation requests may be approved by the Liturgical Coordinator, the Assistant Director for Liturgical Programs, or the Director of Campus Ministry, or any of them.

II.4. Recognizing the ongoing and collaborative relationship between Marquette University and Gesu Parish, any reservation from the staff/administration of Gesu Parish made for the benefit of the parish itself will be treated as though the request was from a division or department of Marquette University.

II.5. All chapel reservations and any changes in reservations should be made a minimum of seven days in advance of the event. Campus Ministry will strive to respond to all reservation request within seven business days.

II.6. When using the chapels, we ask you to honor the time of the reservation. In order to respect other reservations and the time of our sacristans, we ask that you begin your event on time and conclude within the time allotted.  Generally, reservations are scheduled for no more than three hours, especially for recurring events.

II.7. Chapels are generally available during specified operating/business hours. Use of chapels after such hours may not be guaranteed. All posted operating/business hours are subject to change without notice.

III. CHAPEL OF THE HOLY FAMILY (ALUMNI MEMORIAL UNION)

III.1. The Chapel of the Holy Family consists of the worship space/sanctuary, the sacristy, the narthex, and the Eucharistic Chapel.

III.2. The Chapel of the Holy Family can seat 125 people. In compliance with the fire code, it is imperative that the exit doors and aisles in the Chapel and in the narthex remain clear.

III.3. The Chapel of the Holy Family is a Roman Catholic chapel at which ecumenical services are permitted; therefore, non-Catholic sacramental and ritual services may be celebrated in this chapel only in conformity with the norms expressed in the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms for ecumenism, and any other governing norms, canons, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church. The Chapel of the Holy Family may not be used for any ritual, service, celebration, or other activity that is obscene, scandalous, or offensive to Christian sensibilities. Campus Ministry reserves the right to refuse to take a reservation or to cancel, void, or otherwise terminate any reservation that does not comply with these standards.

III.4. It is permitted to use the sound system in the Chapel of the Holy Family. However, use of the sound system must respect the instructions listed there and maintain a sound level that does not disrupt other activities in the AMU. The system should not be used without a Campus Ministry staff person present, unless alternative arrangement has been made in advance. Groups or persons using the sound system will be responsible for any damage caused to the sound system or chapel by misuse. The sound system must be turned off when the reservation concludes.

III.5. A Campus Ministry sacristan must be requested for Masses or any other activity for which access to the sacristy may be required. The sacristan can assist in getting materials ready and finding items needed. The sacristan should not be relied on to participate in any role in the liturgy or service as they may be performing other duties during the actual event. At least two weeks advance notice is needed to fill a request for a sacristan. Sacristans cannot be guaranteed for any event, especially when classes are not in session and if the Campus Ministry office is closed. 

III.6. Furniture in the Chapel: Please note that the altar, ambo (lectern), presider’s chair, and piano in the Chapel of the Holy Family are not to be moved under any circumstances. In addition, due to wear and tear on the chapels, other furniture may not be moved unless prior permission has been given by Campus Ministry and all furniture is returned to its original layout prior to finishing the reservation.

III.7. The altar has been consecrated. Nothing may be placed atop it other than items used in sacred worship.

III.8. For reverence and respect of the Chapel of the Holy Family, food and drinks are not to be served in this space.

III.9. All programs, worship aids, etc. must be removed from the chapel and the sacristy, sanctuary, and narthex must be tidy and secured by the end of the reservation period. Any equipment or other materials brought into the chapel must be removed.

III.10. Hours of Operation: The Chapel of the Holy Family is only available when the Alumni Memorial Union is open. If the AMU is not open, the chapel may not be reserved.

IV. SAINT JOAN OF ARC CHAPEL

IV.1. The St. Joan of Arc is a Roman Catholic chapel at which ecumenical services are permitted; therefore, non-Catholic sacramental and ritual services may be celebrated in this chapel only in conformity with the norms expressed in the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms for ecumenism, and any other governing norms, canons, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The St. Joan of Arc Chapel may not be used for any ritual, service, celebration, or other activity that is obscene, scandalous, or offensive to Christian sensibilities. Campus Ministry reserves the right to refuse to take a reservation or to cancel, void, or otherwise terminate any reservation that does not comply with these standards.

IV.1.a Baptisms, weddings, funerals, confirmations, ordinations, or their equivalents and analogues are absolutely prohibited in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel.

IV.2. Roman Catholic sacramental celebrations are limited to celebrations of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Baptisms, confirmations, weddings, ordinations, and other sacramental celebrations are generally prohibited. Funerals are not celebrated in this chapel, though memorial masses and masses for the dead are allowed in accordance with the liturgical laws of the Church.

IV.3. A Campus Ministry sacristan or chapel guide must be requested for all activities scheduled in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel. The chapel must be opened and closed by a sacristan, chapel guide, Campus Ministry or Division of Mission and Ministry employee, an Affiliated Minister or a Marquette Police or Public Safety Officer. A representative of the reserving group must be present at the opening time. When closing, the group may not leave the chapel unattended; a representative must remain until MUPD, Public Safety, or other employee noted previously has closed and secured the building.

IV.3.a. Groups with permission for regularly occurring events may request one or more of the members be granted card access to the chapel. Limited card access may be granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on specific circumstances.

IV.4. Furniture in the Chapel: Furniture in the St. Joan of Arc chapel may not be moved without prior permission from Campus Ministry.

IV.5. Nothing may be placed upon the altar other than the instruments to be used during sacred worship.

IV.6. For reverence and respect of the St. Joan of Arc Chapel, food and drinks are not allowed.

IV.7. All programs, worship aids, etc. must be removed from the chapel and the space tidy and secured at the end of a reservation period. Similarly, any equipment or other materials brought into the chapel must be removed.

IV.8. The St. Joan of Arc Chapel is rated to hold 49 people pursuant to the relevant fire code regulations.

IV.9. Tours: The St. Joan of Arc Chapel is available for tours during its usual hours, provided it is actually open and a chapel guide is available. Tours will not be scheduled or available when the chapel is not open.

IV.9.a. Any person or individual may enter the chapel during usual hours when actually open and may be given an informal tour the by the chapel guides.

IV.9.b. Divisions or Departments of Marquette University (including Gesu Parish) may schedule formal tours during business hours using the reservation system described in Section II. Student groups and Marquette-affiliated individuals may likewise schedule formal tours.

IV.9.c. Individuals, groups, and other entities not affiliated with Marquette University may not schedule formal tours and such groups may not be accommodated if they seek to tour the chapel.

IV.10. Photography & Videography: Wedding photography and videography within the St. Joan of Arc Chapel is strictly prohibited. Wedding photography and videography may be done in the gardens outside the chapel, provided that such photography and videography is otherwise consistent with Marquette University policies. Persons seeking such photography or videography are encouraged to contact Campus Ministry in advance to ensure the space is available. Campus Ministry reserves the right, in consultation with other appropriate offices of the University, to regulate and control access to the gardens for photography ad videography purposes. Other photography and videography at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel will only be approved if requested by a division, department, or office of the University and such request is otherwise consistent with these policies.

IV.11. Hours of Operation: The St. Joan of Arc Chapel is ordinarily open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 12noon – 4pm. However, open hours are subject to change without notice based on the staffing needs and availability of chapel guides and sacristans. Tours may not be scheduled outside of these times. Other events may be scheduled outside of these times on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability of chapel guides and sacristans.

V. THERESE OF LISIEUX CHAPEL & RESIDENCE HALL CHAPELS

V.1. The St. Therese of Lisieux Chapel, located in The Commons Residence Hall, is available for reservation by members of the Marquette University community for Roman Catholic liturgical and sacramental services or for non-Catholic prayer and devotional services, on the same terms and condition as for the St. Joan of Arc Chapel.

V.2. Chapels in all other residence halls may be reserved by residents of the hall in which the chapel is located or by the professional staff of the Office of Residence Life or Campus Ministry. Chapel reservations must be primarily for the benefit of residents of the hall in which the chapel is located; these chapels are not available for general use. These chapels may be used for any liturgical or devotional purpose – Catholic or non-Catholic – not otherwise prohibited by these rules, provided that such use is not obscene, scandalous, or offensive to Christian sensibilities.

V.3. Baptisms, weddings, confirmations, ordinations, and funerals – Catholic or non-Catholic – are absolutely prohibited in residence hall chapels, including the St. Therese of Lisieux chapel.

V.4. For reverence and respect of the St. Therese of Lisieux Chapel and all other Residence Hall chapels, food and drink are not to be served in these spaces.

VI. MUSIC REQUESTS

VI.1. Any person or group making a reservation who wish to have musician (an instrumental accompanist or cantor, or both) or a choir at their event must contact Andrew Mountin, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Liturgical Music. At least two weeks are needed to fill requests for musicians and cantors. Accommodation for requests for musicians cannot be guaranteed, particularly when classes are not in session or if the Campus Ministry office is closed.

VI.2. A stipend is charged for the services these individuals provide. The stipend for undergraduate Student Musicians is $75 per musician or choir member; the stipend for graduate and professional school Student Musicians or for a Faculty or Staff Musician is $100 per musician or choir member. Payment must be made in advance, unless alternative arrangement is made with the Assistant Director for Liturgical Music.

VI.3. All music to be used at any event in any chapel must be consistent with the character of the space. Accordingly, all music must be approved in advance by the Assistant Director for Liturgical Music. The Assistant Director for Liturgical Music is available to assist with planning the music to be used in any event.

VI.4. Outside (i.e., non-Marquette) musicians, instrumentalist/accompanists, and choirs are only allowed with the prior written permission of the Assistant Director for Liturgical Music.