Annual Mother-Son Mass & Celebration

The Annual Mother-Son Celebration is a longstanding springtime tradition at Gonzaga. It begins with Mass in St. Aloysius Church, followed by brunch in the Carmody Center and Lower Commons. Collection proceeds from the Mass will benefit the restoration of the sacristy in St. Aloysius Church.  The speaker for this year's Sister Seton address is Dr. Jeanne Lord, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Georgetown University and mother of a Gonzaga alumnus. Portraits of mothers with their sons are taken to commemorate the event, and they will be available for purchase. Please note that due to the high demand, this event is only for current students and their mothers/female guardians.

For those mothers planning to attend, here are some day-of reminders and logistics from the GMC:


Parking: Parking will be available on a first come basis in the Gonzaga garage. Once the Gonzaga garage is full, additional parking will be available in the 800 N Capitol Street garage located near the corner of H Street and N Capitol Street (at the far corner of the Gonzaga football field). Entrance to the garage is located on H Street and parking is complimentary using the attached parking pass. Please carpool if you can!

Schedule of Events: Mass begins in St Aloysius Church at 10:00 am. After Mass, guests will proceed immediately to the Carmody Center for the brunch and program. The brunch is scheduled to begin at 11:15 am with a blessing by Fr. Lingan. The program will begin shortly thereafter and should conclude by 12:45 pm.

Brunch Seating: Classes will sit within their open seating color-coded “zones”. Zones within the Carmody Center are as follows (ushers will be available to direct you at the event):

• Seniors – Dark Purple, in the center on either side of the podium
• Juniors – White; on the far side of the gym
• Sophomores – Light Purple; on the near side of the gym
• Freshman – Lower Commons

If you’d like to sit with friends, please find them before you enter the Carmody Center to expedite the seating process. Please don’t hold seats! This may make it difficult for others to find open seats. We encourage you to be welcoming toward anyone who approaches your table, and to use the lunch as an opportunity to get to know others who you may not have met before. Thanks for your cooperation! Mothers who are attending with two or more sons; please sit together with your sons in the zone designated for your oldest son.

Food: Brunch will be served family-style, in serving bowls that guests can pass and share.

Mother-Son Portraits: Stone Photography will have three photo booths available for your portrait photos, two outside in the courtyard and one in front of the Chapel. Look for the shortest line! Photos will begin at 9:00 am prior to Mass and continue until 1:30 pm. Please note that photography will be paused during the speaker.

Bookstore: The Gonzaga Bookstore will be open at 9:00 a.m. and will remain open for the duration of the event.

Attire: Coat and tie for sons. Sunday church attire for mothers and guardians.
 

If you have any questions, please contact Mother-Son Celebration Chairs Mary Alexander, Kristie Conrath, Lisa Dougherty, and Meagan Jancy at motherson@gonzagamothers.org. 

To purchase tickets please click this link.