Throwing a party for Christ

It’s 2:27 a.m. Over 250 college students are “partying” at a Florida State University “fraternity house.” Campus police roll in bracing for the worse. What they find is a miracle. Not a drop of alcohol or drugs to be found.
 
This is like no other campus party! It’s the Easter Vigil After Party for the Catholic Student Union hosted at the Brotherhood of Hope’s house. It’s a twenty-year tradition where we invite our students, along with their parents, siblings and friends, to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
 
And it doesn’t show any signs of letting up. “We hold a very different kind of all-nighter at FSU,” said Br. Parker, our FSU campus minister. “Our approach is to help people focus on celebrating the right thing; the resurrection of our Lord.”
 
The evening began with Easter Vigil Mass celebrated at St. Thomas More, home parish of our FSU campus ministry. The After Party started at 11:30 p.m. following the conclusion of Mass. RCIA candidates who participated in the Vigil Mass are honored and celebrated at the After Party.
 
“Holy Week and Easter are a spiritual summit for the rothers,” said Br. Parker. “It’s a joy to share this celebration with those whom we love. What a great way to witness to the true joy of Easter and Eternal Life!”
 
Following the After Party, students went to an adoration chapel for more praise and worship as Easter morning broke.
 
“Since getting more involved in my faith, the Easter Vigil Mass has become my favorite Mass of the year,” said Delsie Borgen, who was a junior at FSU last year. “This past year I was able to invite my parents into this celebration, and they got to experience a hint of the rich life that we have at the Catholic Student Union.”