University Ministry

Mission, Vision, and Values

Our Mission

Inspired by God's unconditional love, and rooted in our Catholic, Ignatian, and Mercy traditions, University Ministry accompanies the Detroit Mercy community as we learn to know, love, and serve God and one another.

Our Vision

We form students through experiences of community, prayer, action and reflection.

We value:

Belonging – Our mission calls us to build authentic relationships and inclusive spaces. This work is guided by Ignatian discernment, a Mercy spirit of hospitality, cultural humility and the inherent dignity of each person.

Service and Justice - Our mission calls us to be global citizens living, learning, working and advocating with and for our sisters and brothers in Detroit, in our country and in the world. This work is rooted in prayer, reflection and love and challenges us to care for all of creation with compassion and justice.

Spiritual Development - Our mission calls us to grow into an adult faith, within the context of our own faith tradition. This work is rooted in love, compassion, and action through individual and communal prayer, worship, reflection, and experience.

Programs and Events

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    Worship & Prayer

    McNichols Campus - St. Ignatius Chapel in the Commerce & Finance Building

    • Weekly Sunday Student Mass: Sundays at 8 p.m. (fall and winter semesters)
    • Confessions: Every Sunday 7:15 p.m. (preceding the student mass) or by appointment with Fr. Jeff, dorrje@udmercy.edu
    • Daily Masses: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 12:45 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 12 p.m.
    • Holy days of obligation: schedule varies

    Islamic Prayer 

    • Jummah: Fridays at 1 to 2 p.m. (Fountain Lounge, First Floor Student Union - McNichols Campus)
    • Islamic Prayer Room open daily for prayer with room code - ask Univ. Ministry Office. 
    • Various holy days celebrated throughout year and at least one Iftar is offered on campus

    Sacred Spaces on McNichols Campus

    • St. Ignatius Chapel (1st floor Commerce and Finance Building)
    • Islamic Prayer Room (First Floor, Student Union)
    • Multi-faith reflection space (Basement of Library)
    • Reflection Garden (north of the clock tower)
    • Mercy Gathering Place (First floor, Shiple Hall)
    • Reflection Room (First Floor, College of Health Professions)

    School of Dentistry

    • Christian Chapel available for reflection and Masses offered on special days
    • Islamic Prayer Room available for prayer

    School of Law

    • Masses and other Catholic social events are available through Ss. Peter and Paul Church near Riverfront Campus

    • A multifaith reflection room is located on the first floor

    School of Optometry

    • A multifaith reflection room is located under the stairwell on the first floor

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    Faith & Spiritual Experiences

    • Spiritual Direction/Accompaniment offered free of cost to students in -person or via zoom with trained spiritual directors trained in Ignatian Spirituality (monthly direction, guidance thru versions of the 19thannotation, one-time spiritual conversations)
    • Various day long or overnight retreats are offered throughout the year off-campus.
    • Busy Persons Retreat is offered in the fall semester for students to meet with a spiritual director for four-weeks on their own schedule including reflection and prayer material.
    • Spiritual Conferences and National opportunities of faith development are offered through our Jesuit and Mercy networks.
    • Bible studies and faith sharing groups offered.
    • Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) offered in collaboration with Gesu Catholic Church or Ss. Peter and Paul Church.
    • Group prayer experiences  offered (rosary, adoration, spiritual exercises).
    • Student Retreat Leader formation, internships, and work study or non-work study positions.
    • Faith in the D: educational tour of various sacred spaces around Detroit followed by a cultural meal.
    • Interfaith annual dinner and panel of speakers.
    • Interfaith dialogue circles and conferences.
    • Various Islamic spiritual and social events, sisterhood and brotherhood groups offered.
    • All students are encouraged to reach out to the University Ministry staff to create new spiritual events or programs or support for current programs and events
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    Service and Justice Experiences

    • Social Justice conferences are offered annually such as the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice (Washington, D.C.) in the fall, Mercy Justice Conference or UN trip, Ignatian Justice Conference
    • Service in the City - weekly semester service commitment to local Detroit service sites
    • Service Immersion Experiences (School break trips to various locations including the U.S./Mexico border, Tennessee, Alabama or One day service immersion experiences in and around Detroit)
    • Advocacy events centered on topics such as climate change, immigration, human rights, and more
    • Student Leader formation, internships, and work study positions
    • Student groups are welcome to work with the staff to coordinate other service and justice experiences throughout the year.

Detroit Mercy Catalogs


Undergraduate Catalog
2026-2027