Lafayette College is committed to nurturing religious and spiritual development in students, faculty, and staff.

Commitment to Religious and Spiritual Life at Lafayette

Lafayette College provides the opportunity for members of the College community to freely explore any religious traditions or spiritual practices of their choosing. The student body is spiritually diverse, and opportunities for worship and practice are available from a wide range of religious and spiritual traditions.

If Lafayette does not have an on-campus community to fit your needs, a chaplain will be sure to connect you with resources in the greater Lehigh Valley community.

Baccalaureate and Commencement News

Baccalaureate for the Class of 2025 took place on Friday, May 23rd at 4:00pm in Colton Chapel. Over thirty students, along with President Nicole Hurd, the College Chaplains, and members of administration, reflected on the time the Class of 2025 spent at Lafayette and will send them forth with blessings and good wishes.

Watch the Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2025.

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Religious & Spiritual Life Survey for the Class of 2029

The purpose of this survey is to connect incoming Lafayette students (Class of 2029) to religious, spiritual, devotional, and educational communities, both on- and off-campus.  It is also an opportunity for students to let the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life to know of any religious accommodations needed.

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Major Religious Holidays

The following list of holidays are ones that involve fasting, require worship attendance, or prohibit work. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all religious traditions or observances. Students may request a Dean’s Excuse for Religious Observances by emailing Chaplain Alex Hendrickson, Alex Malanych, or by contacting their class dean. More details can be found here. Holidays marked with an asterisk begin and end at sundown.

SUMMER 2025

August 15: Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Christianity)

August 16-17: Krishna Jamnashtami (Hinduism)

August 21-28: Paryushana (Jainism)

FALL 2025

September 22-24: Rosh Hashanah* (Judaism)

October 1-2: Yom Kippur* (Judaism)

October 6-13: Sukkot* (Judaism)

October 14-15: Simchat Torah* (Judaism)

October 20: Diwali (Hinduism)

October 22-23: Birth of the Bab* (Baha’i Faith)

October 23-24: Birth of the Baha’u’llah* (Baha’i Faith)

November 1: All Saints’ Day (Christianity)

November 2: All Souls’ Day (Christianity)

November 5: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Sikhism)

November 23: Christ the King (Christianity)

November 24: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikhism)

November 30-December 24: Advent (Christianity)

December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Christianity)

December 8: Bodhi Day (Buddhism)

December 14-22: Hanukkah* (Judaism)

December 24: Christmas Eve (Christianity)

December 25: Christmas Day (Christianity)

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Contact Information

Director and College Chaplain

Rev. Dr. Alexandra M. Hendrickson
107 Farinon Center
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
hendrica@lafayette.edu

(610) 330-5560

Find us on the first floor of Farinon Center, Monday - Friday: 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM

Assistant Director, Jewish Chaplain and Hillel Director

Rabbi Alex Malanych
107 Farinon Center
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
malanyca@lafayette.edu