Communion, also known as the Eucharist, is a Christian sacrament. In receiving the Eucharist, followers consume the body of Christ, their savior, in the form of a small, flat, circle of bread. They do this according to the New Testament passage about the Last Supper.

The Eucharist is most commonly received at mass, a celebration centered precisely on this sacrament, held in church and led by a priest. Being away from home, most Pace students do not belong to a local congregation or church. While church doors would surely be open to them in the Pace community, it can be difficult to find time to attend weekly mass. To help, Sister Susan Becker has made it possible for students to receive communion on the Pace campus.

Sister Susan’s communion offering began after years of trying to start an interfaith organization on campus, which garnered little interest. She, therefore, decided to provide students with an opportunity to stay in touch with their religious practices while on campus.

Sister Susan received permission to offer communion from a local parish priest in Pleasantville. She has been providing this service for one year now.

Seated across a table from me in Miller, with a white kerchief resting beneath a small tabernacle of sacramental bread before her, Sister Susan explained why she decided to offer communion on campus. She said it serves as an “opportunity for students to stay connected with their tradition.” She paused, smiled, and then proceeded to ask me, “Why are you here today, Katie?”

I smiled. The first answer that came to mind was simple. I am writing a spirituality article for the paper, and I want students to know this program is here for them. Yet, this was not a complete answer.

In addition to my wanting to inform the student body, I explained to her that I was raised Catholic. Even though I do not believe or practice a religion anymore, these traditions still remind me of home. My whole family believes in this faith, and these traditions are an extension of home to me.

A short, but profound, conversation ensued then, an acknowledgment of the fact that one’s relationship to the divine is entirely their own. One can connect with the stories of the faith tradition rather than the institution as a whole.

Graduate student of Education, Charles Link, explained why he attends communion every week as well. “When I’m here [at Pace], it’s very difficult for me to go to an hour-long mass like I do at home. This makes it easier to attend.”

For those looking to stay connected to their faith tradition, or to any who might simply need some peace and tranquil company, Communion takes place in Miller 23 on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.