About Magdalen Chapel, at La Roche College · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Magdalen Chapel is the Catholic chapel serving La Roche University (formerly La Roche College) in the McCandless Township suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1990 and funded by the Bold and Fisher families — both with ties to the university's Board of Trustees — it sits at the spiritual heart of a campus founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Divine Providence. Weekend Masses and a daily noon liturgy when classes are in session are celebrated in the chapel, which is overseen by the Office of Providence Campus Ministry and serves students, faculty, staff, and visitors within the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
- Established
- 1990
- Patron
- Mary Magdalen
- Rector
- Father Peter Horton (Chaplain and Director of Providence Campus Ministry)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Magdalen Chapel welcomes students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding North Hills community to worship, pray, and serve together. Whether you join the Saturday vigil, the Sunday morning Mass, a daily noon liturgy when classes are in session, or one of the many small faith communities and service projects, you become part of a campus Catholic life rooted in the 60-year heritage of the Sisters of Divine Providence and committed to peace, justice, and inclusion.
Mass times at Magdalen Chapel, at La Roche College
Weekly Mass schedule
About Magdalen Chapel
Magdalen Chapel is the on-campus Catholic chapel of La Roche University in Pittsburgh's North Hills. Added to the campus in 1990 and financed by the Bold and Fisher families — both connected to the university's Board of Trustees — it serves as the spiritual heart of a university founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Divine Providence. The chapel hosts the university's weekend and weekday Masses, the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, the Baccalaureate Mass, RCIA sessions, and a variety of prayer and faith-sharing events.
- Chapel added in 1990, funded by the Bold and Fisher families
- Named for Mary Magdalen (feast day July 22)
- Within the Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Address: 9000 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Providence Campus Ministry
Providence Campus Ministry is the campus office that animates spiritual life at La Roche. It seeks to build the university community by exploring La Roche's mission and encouraging participation in it, serving students, staff, and faculty through spiritual programming, service projects, and initiatives that promote peace and justice. The office collaborates with the Sisters of Divine Providence, the university's founding and sponsoring congregation.
- Director: Father Peter Horton
- Director of Mission and Ministry office: Sister Elena Almendarez
- Phone: (412) 536-1050
- Email: [email protected]
Faith-Sharing Groups and Programs
A range of small-group programs invite students of all faith backgrounds to grow together. Programs range from Catholic formation to ecumenical fellowship and justice-oriented prayer.
- Journey (RCIA) — learning, prayer, and dialogue for those discerning or deepening Catholic faith
- Coffee and Catholicism — Q&A evenings with Father Peter Horton
- LIFE — non-denominational Christian fellowship, prayer, and praise
- Saint John's Bible — reflection and sharing on the handwritten, illuminated Heritage Edition Bible
- Monthly Prayer Vigils focused on racial justice
Annual Liturgical Events
Two signature liturgies each year draw the wider university and diocesan community into Magdalen Chapel. The Mass of the Holy Spirit opens the academic year and is typically celebrated by the Bishop of Pittsburgh, while the Baccalaureate Mass the day before commencement sends graduates forth under the university motto 'To Light Through Love.'
- Mass of the Holy Spirit — celebrated by Bishop David A. Zubik at the start of the academic year
- Baccalaureate Mass — celebrated the day before commencement with a candle-lighting ceremony and blessing by Father Peter Horton
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Students are invited to take an active role in the chapel's liturgies. The music ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists, and there are openings each semester for greeters, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers.
- Music ministry (singers and musicians)
- Greeters
- Lectors
- Eucharistic ministers
Catholic Identity at La Roche
The Catholic identity of La Roche is woven into the curriculum through the La Roche Experience (LRX), a required course sequence for traditional freshmen, sophomores, and juniors that introduces students to the university's history, Catholic heritage, and the legacy of the Sisters of Divine Providence. Theological reflection and the principles of peace and justice shape every year of study.
- La Roche Experience (LRX) required course sequence
- Close ties to the Sisters of Divine Providence
- Founders Day celebrated annually on June 27
- Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition on display across campus
Service, Peace, and Justice
Through Providence Campus Ministry and the Ketteler Center for Peace, Justice and Inclusion, the chapel community extends its mission beyond the sanctuary. Service learning, drives, and vigils put Catholic Social Teaching into practice on campus and in the surrounding community.
- Ketteler Center for Peace, Justice and Inclusion — inspired by Bishop Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler, founder of the Sisters of Divine Providence
- Service Learning through Providence Campus Ministry (food drives, neighborhood cleanups, health fairs)
- Monthly prayer vigils for racial justice
- Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching
Visiting Magdalen Chapel
All are welcome at liturgies and chapel events. The chapel sits on the main La Roche University campus in McCandless Township, with campus parking available for those attending Mass or other programs.
- Address: 9000 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
- Phone: (412) 536-1050
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://laroche.edu/life_at_lru/faith_and_service/spiritual_programs/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Horton1994–2013 (first tenure as Director of Campus Ministry)
Returned to La Roche as Director of the Office of Mission and Ministry after serving as pastor of St. Winifred's and administrator of Saint Thomas More and Saint John Capistran parishes in the South Hills. Ordained in 1979; M.Div. from Mount Saint Mary Seminary; M.A. in pastoral ministry from Duquesne University.