Marymount University (Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel)

About Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel

Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel is the Catholic chapel serving Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, within the Diocese of Arlington. It is operated by the university's Office of Ministry and Spiritual Life under the direction of University Chaplain Rev. Gabriel Muteru, who was appointed to the role in August 2021 by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. The chapel anchors the spiritual life of Marymount — an independent Catholic university founded in 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) — offering daily Mass, Sunday Masses, Reconciliation, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and seasonal devotions for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

History of Marymount University

Marymount University was founded in 1950 by Mother Gerard Phelan, general superior of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM), with the blessing of Bishop Peter J. Ireton of the Diocese of Richmond. The original campus was built on the former estate of Rear Admiral Presley M. Rixey, naval surgeon general and personal physician to Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. The school opened with thirteen freshmen; nine of them comprised the first graduating class in 1952. From 1950 to 1972 it was a junior college granting the associate degree, then became a senior college in 1973, added master's programs in 1979, and became fully coeducational under the name 'Marymount University' in 1986. The university's first doctoral program, the clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy, was approved by SACSCOC in 2005.

• Founded 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM)
• First class: 13 freshmen; first graduates: 9 (1952)
• Senior college status — 1973
• Coeducational graduate programs — 1979; fully coeducational and renamed Marymount University — 1986
• First doctoral program (DPT) approved — 2005
• Ballston Center established — 2017

The Catholic Tradition and RSHM Identity

Marymount is a Catholic university founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM), an international congregation of Catholic women religious serving in 13 countries. Through liturgy, faith discussion groups, spiritual retreats, a strong music ministry, and a wide range of service opportunities, Campus Ministry encourages members of the community to examine and deepen their faith and live ethically responsible lives. All undergraduates take religious studies, theology, and philosophy courses as part of the core curriculum. The RSHM mission that 'all may have life and have it to the full' continues to shape the university's Catholic identity, while Marymount maintains a long tradition of welcoming people of all backgrounds and faiths.

• Founder: Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM)
• RSHM charism: 'That all may have life and have it to the full'
• All undergraduates take religious studies, theology, and philosophy
• Campus Ministry activities are open to everyone, regardless of faith tradition

Office of Ministry and Spiritual Life

The Office of Ministry and Spiritual Life serves the entire Marymount community through the lens of the Catholic faith and provides spiritual formation across faith traditions. Its message is 'all are welcome' — the office supports students seeking a richer religious life as well as those exploring practices like mindfulness for the first time, and maintains and renovates the Meditation Room to serve Muslim and other non-Christian students. The office is located in Gerard Hall 1029, with the Chaplain's office in Gerard 1031-A. The office is led by Director and University Chaplain Rev. Gabriel Muteru.

• Director & University Chaplain: Rev. Gabriel Muteru
• Office: Gerard 1029 (main office) and Gerard 1031-A (Chaplain)
• Liturgical Music & Spiritual Life Events Coordinator: Dr. Kimberly Hess
• Social: @BeWellMU on Instagram and Twitter
• Office hours on Main Campus and on Thursdays in Ballston

Faith Formation: RCIA, Bible Study, and Catechesis

Campus Ministry offers catechetical preparation and Bible studies for students who want to deepen their faith and explore the Catholic tradition. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program prepares those discerning entry into the Catholic Church, while ongoing Bible studies invite participants to 'discover the richness of your faith and dive deeper as you journey with others.' All programs are open to the wider Marymount community.

• RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
• Bible Studies — weekly small groups
• Catechetical preparation
• Open to all students, faculty, and staff

Retreats

Each year Campus Ministry offers retreats that give students the chance to step away from campus, renew their faith, build friendships, and enjoy time in prayer. The Fall Beach Retreat is held annually (for example, October 2–5, 2025, in Ocean City, MD) and includes workshops, private and group reflections, daily Mass, holy hours, beach time, and a study room. A Winter Lenten Retreat, geared toward deepening faith and friendships during Lent, features student- and guest-led talks designed to prepare students mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the spring semester.

• Annual Fall Beach Retreat (e.g., Ocean City, MD)
• Winter Lenten Retreat (TBA each year)
• Workshops, daily Mass, holy hours, reflection
• Open to all Marymount students

Sacraments: Weddings and Baptisms

Weddings and Baptisms are celebrated in Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel on the Main Campus when requested by alumni, faculty, and staff of Marymount University. All such events are planned well in advance with the Chaplain, Rev. Gabriel Muteru, and Dr. Kimberly Hess, Liturgical Music and Spiritual Life Events Coordinator. The Chaplain also provides pastoral sacramental care — including Reconciliation, the Anointing of the Sick, and preparation for First Sacraments — for members of the Marymount community.

• Weddings — by request, Main Campus Chapel
• Baptisms — by request, Main Campus Chapel
• Contact: University Chaplain and Liturgical Music Coordinator
• Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and First-Sacrament preparation available through the Chaplain

Music Ministry and Liturgical Life

A strong music ministry enriches every liturgy at Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel and the Ballston Chapel. Liturgical music is coordinated by Dr. Kimberly Hess, Liturgical Music and Spiritual Life Events Coordinator, who works with the Chaplain to plan and rehearse music for Sunday and weekday Masses, holy hours, retreats, and special celebrations throughout the liturgical year, including Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Advent.

• Liturgical Music & Spiritual Life Events Coordinator: Dr. Kimberly Hess
• Music for daily and Sunday Masses, Adoration, and retreats
• Seasonal liturgies including Stations of the Cross, Holy Week, and Easter

Religious Literacy and Interfaith Programming

Through the Office of Ministry and Spiritual Life, Marymount supports religious literacy programming that helps students learn about the practices and people of diverse faiths — an education that strengthens both the Marymount community and informed citizenship. Events have included initiatives such as the religious literacy prize wheel, alongside interfaith dialogue programming. The Meditation Room on campus is maintained and renovated through the office and serves Muslim students and others seeking a quiet space for prayer or reflection.

• Religious literacy events (e.g., the religious literacy prize wheel)
• Interfaith dialogue
• Meditation Room on campus for Muslim and other students