If a new study is any indication, students are embracing religion and searching for spirituality.

The study from the October 2006 issue of the Journal of College and Character found that college aged students are becoming increasing involved in spiritual reflection and religious services.

The study, “Inward Journeys: Forms and Patterns of College Student Spirituality,” reported that 75 percent of incoming freshmen responding to a survey said that they were searching for a purpose in life, while 80 percent of students said that they were “very interested” in their spirituality. Fifty percent of respondents said that they intended to find religion and spirituality while in college.

Timothy Godfrey, S.J., director of campus ministry, said that he has recognized the trend of rising participation of Georgetown students in religious services and organizations on campus.

“There does seem to be a growing interest of the students here at Georgetown to deepen their faith and spirituality,” he said. “It seems students are attracted to opportunities to experience not just their faith but a sense of community as well.”

Godfrey said that various campus organizations and services have experienced the trend, referring to rising attendance rates of students at Catholic mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Shabbat services and interfaith services.

Godfrey added that various religious groups, such as the GU Gospel Choir, have increased in membership during the past few years.

“The Muslim Student Association continues to be very active, as does our Jewish Student Association,” he said. “The Knights of Columbus have increased their membership, as have the Catholic Daughters.” Godfrey was unable to give an exact number.

Other chaplains on campus expressed similar views.

Yahya Hendi, the university’s Muslim chaplain, said that he has seen religious growth not only among Muslim students, but among Georgetown students in general. He cited a growing number of e-mails he receives from students asking questions about religion as proof of the trend.

“If you look at the participant in masses or . in uslim services, without doubt, you see an increased participation,” he said. “I have seen more questions about religion in the last year than I have in the last three years,” he said.

Student religious groups have also reported a new growth in participation, up from recent years.

He said that a rise in group membership has also been accompanied with a rise in religious activities, such as spiritual retreats and expanded church services.

For Catholic Chaplin Theresa Leonetti, religious recruiting is partially responsible for the rising trend in religious students.

Young people are the most abandoned, between confirmation and marriage . the Church realizes this and reaches out to them,” she said. “Jesuits do that in Campus Ministry, chaplains do that in the Residence Program. Religion is courting more young people.”

Leonetti said she also thinks that current affairs also have an impact on students embracing religion.

“The more chaotic the world gets, the more they want the answers,” she said.

– Michele Hong contributed to this report