Georgetown University opened a new meditation room in St. Mary’s Hall Sept. 11.
At the opening ceremony, Sister Celeste Mokrzycki, S.S.J., the School of Health (SOH) and School of Nursing (SON) chaplain, led a blessing for the area, located in room 121-A. The space is open to all students, staff and faculty for personal reflection and religious purposes and includes holy books and religious articles for different faith traditions.
Mokrzycki, who advocated for the creation of the Meditation Room, said the inspiration behind the room was to help alleviate stress and provide a convenient place for Muslim students, staff and faculty to pray, something that was not readily available on the north side of campus before the meditation room opened.
“It was to provide that safe space for people to just step aside, whether it was for reflection, for prayer, a place to just take a breath or whatever it was that they needed in the room,” Mokrzycki told The Hoya. “Another major reason is that our Muslim brothers and sisters didn’t have a close, nearby place to pray at different times when they needed to pray, and they didn’t have enough time to walk over to our mosque. So it would provide them a space, because the meditation room is open to all faiths.”
SOH Dean Christopher King said the Meditation Room serves as a safe space for individuals to take a moment for themselves.
“From global wars to a divisive and emotionally charged political climate, we are in the midst of unprecedented times,” King wrote to The Hoya. “In light of these challenges, SOH and SON are deeply committed to fostering an academic community that protects and preserves well-being.”
“For many, this includes pausing, reflecting, meditating or praying for a brighter tomorrow. In our commitment to interfaith worship, the Meditation Room is a sacred space we have designated for this purpose,” King added.
During the service of the blessing, Mokrzycki said she invited everyone present to collectively bless the room to foster a sense of peace and belonging.
“I invited everyone who was present to enter into that blessing of that space, whatever it was that we offered, whether it was welcome, peace, a sense of belonging, so that the space would be already filled with that spirit of consolation,” Mokrzycki said. “Not only did we all read the blessing together, but I also had invited anyone to offer another blessing.”
Danny Shao (SFS ’26), who is taking a course in St. Mary’s this semester, said the room can be a valuable resource for students and he has seen it in use.
“Balancing classes on top of clubs or internships could be very intense,” Shao told The Hoya. “It’s good to have a safe space where you can take a moment for yourself and reset your mental health.”
“I have walked past the room before while walking to class, and I have already seen students use the room,” Shao added.
Mokrzycki said she is thankful for having students already use the space.
“What really has touched me is knowing that the room is already being used,” Mokryzcki said. “Students have come to me and thanked me for having the room.”
“That has been very gratifying for me — that it is answering a need that obviously people have, that students have, that staff have,” Mokryzcki added.