Siena College [Saint Mary of the Angels]

About St. Mary of the Angels Chapel

St. Mary of the Angels Chapel is the spiritual heart of Siena University, a Franciscan Catholic college in Loudonville, New York. Run by the Office of the College Chaplain, the chapel serves hundreds of students, faculty, friars, and visitors each year. It is named for St. Mary of the Angels, the famous Portiuncula chapel near Assisi where St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order — a fitting patron for a Franciscan school. The chapel is open 24 hours a day for personal prayer and meditation, and a smaller Chapel of the Holy Name of Jesus in the Sarazen Student Union provides a more intimate space for quiet reflection.

History of the Chapel and the University

Siena University was founded in 1937 by seven Franciscan friars of Holy Name Province sent from St. Bonaventure College to establish a satellite campus in the New York State Capital Region. The friars purchased the Garrett estate in Loudonville and converted the family home into classrooms, offices, and friary space. Twice the expected number of students showed up on opening day, and some classes were taught in a stairwell. Ground was broken for Siena Hall on June 20, 1938, and the school was named St. Bernardine of Siena College in honor of the 15th-century Franciscan preacher and missionary. The College received its permanent charter from New York State in 1942, was formally renamed Siena College in 1968, and became co-educational in 1969. It was renamed Siena University in 2022.

• 1937 — Seven Franciscan friars from St. Bonaventure College found the school in Loudonville, NY
• 1938 — Ground broken for Siena Hall (June 20); south wing opens in September
• 1939 — North wing of Siena Hall completed
• 1942 — Permanent charter granted by New York State
• 1948 — Enrollment peaks at 2,752 students in the post-war GI Bill era
• 1950 — St. Mary of the Angels Chapel and original St. Bernardine of Siena Friary opened and dedicated
• 1967 — Roger Bacon science building opens
• 1968 — Renamed Siena College; co-educational a year later (1969)
• 1981 — New St. Bernardine of Siena Friary dedicated September 16
• 2014 — Grotto dedicated under the patronage of St. Bernardine of Siena
• 2022 — Renamed Siena University
• February 8 (recent year) — Bishop Mark O'Connell blesses new digital organ in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel

Clergy, Chaplain's Office, and Staff

The Office of the College Chaplain ministers to the spiritual needs of Siena's students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and plays a crucial role in nurturing the Catholic and Franciscan identity of the College. Fr. Larry Anderson, O.F.M., has served as College Chaplain since 2021 and is also Friar-in-Residence in Ryan Hall. He is supported by Fr. Sean O'Brien, O.F.M. (Associate Director and Mentoring Program Administrator), Deacon Nick Ascioti (Assistant Campus Minister), and a broader team that includes Kate Kaufman Burns (Director of Liturgical Arts), Richard Putorti (Director of Music in the Chaplain's Office), and Beth DeAngelis (Senior Director of the Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women).

• Fr. Lawrence C. Anderson, O.F.M. — College Chaplain (since 2021)
• Fr. Sean O'Brien, O.F.M. — Associate Director, Mentoring Program
• Deacon Nick Ascioti — Assistant Campus Minister
• Kate Kaufman Burns, M.S.W. — Director of Liturgical Arts
• Richard Putorti — Director of Music, Chaplain's Office
• Beth DeAngelis — Senior Director, Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women
• Fr. Mark G. Reamer '83, O.F.M., D.Min. — Vice President for Mission
• Judy Dougherty '06 — Director, Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy

Mass and Sacrament Schedule

The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of the spiritual and religious life of Siena University. Sunday Masses are celebrated at 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel during the academic year, with additional Sunday Masses at 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM held in various residence halls. Weekday Masses are celebrated at 12:30 PM in the chapel (the Siena College catalog also notes a 5:00 PM weekday option in residence halls). During the summer, a single Sunday Mass is offered at 11:00 AM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available by appointment through the Chaplain's Office. All are welcome to attend.

• Sunday 11:00 AM — St. Mary of the Angels Chapel (summer and academic year)
• Sunday 7:00 PM — St. Mary of the Angels Chapel (academic year)
• Sunday 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM — Various residence halls (academic year)
• Monday–Friday 12:30 PM — St. Mary of the Angels Chapel
• Reconciliation — by appointment

Music Ministry and Liturgical Arts

The Music Ministry provides music leadership for liturgical celebrations on Sundays and special feast days at Siena. It is composed of men and women who are instrumentalists — guitars, bass, drums, cello, violin, flute, brass — and vocalists, whose repertoire spans contemporary and classical liturgical music. The Music Ministry sings at both the 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM Sunday Masses throughout the academic year, under the direction of the Director of Liturgical Arts (Kate Kaufman Burns) and the Director of Music in the Chaplain's Office (Richard Putorti). Membership is open to all Siena students, and training in voice and sight-singing is offered to newcomers. The chapel's new fully digital organ, blessed on February 8 by Bishop Mark O'Connell, was a gift from Steve '73 and Janeece Brophy and provides a new voice for worship in the Franciscan tradition.

• Sunday 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM Music Ministry
• Contemporary and classical repertoire
• New digital organ blessed by Bishop Mark O'Connell (Feb 8)
• Gift of Steve '73 and Janeece Brophy
• Open to all Siena students; voice and sight-singing training offered

Liturgical Ministries

The Office of the College Chaplain invites students to take an active role in the liturgical life of Siena through a variety of liturgical ministries. Readers (Lectors) proclaim the Word of God at every liturgy, with attention to eye contact, presence, and a period of silence for reflection. Eucharistic Ministers help distribute the Body and Blood of Christ and also serve as Ministers of Hospitality, greeting the assembly as they arrive so the presider can give full attention to presiding. Altar Servers assist the presider with the Sacramentary, prepare the altar with vessels, bread, and wine, care for candles, incense, and the processional cross, and help distribute Holy Communion. This ministry is open to both men and women.

• Readers (Lectors) — proclaim the Word of God
• Eucharistic Ministers — distribute Communion and serve as Ministers of Hospitality
• Altar Servers (Acolytes) — assist the presider; open to all genders

Spiritual Companionship and Pastoral Care

Siena offers a Spiritual Companionship program for all students seeking one-on-one support and guidance for honest self-examination and personal growth. The team is made up of Fr. Larry Anderson, O.F.M. (campus chaplain); Beth DeAngelis (Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women); Fr. Sean O'Brien, O.F.M. (director of the mentoring program); and Deacon Nick Ascioti (assistant campus minister). Companions are available to help students work through questions of life purpose, career path, meaning, and relationships — and can share relevant texts from a student's faith tradition if desired. Spiritual companionship is distinct from therapy, wellness visits, or confession, and referrals are made when another kind of service is needed. Sessions can be in person (distanced and masked) or via Zoom.

• Fr. Larry Anderson, O.F.M. — Campus Chaplain
• Beth DeAngelis — Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women
• Fr. Sean O'Brien, O.F.M. — Mentoring Program
• Deacon Nick Ascioti — Assistant Campus Minister

Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy

The Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy is a vital part of Siena's mission to cultivate a vibrant community of faith committed to service. Directed by Judy Dougherty '06, the Center coordinates community service and justice initiatives and houses the Mentoring Program (coordinated by Fr. Sean O'Brien, O.F.M.). It is one of the main ways Siena's Catholic and Franciscan identity is put into practice beyond the chapel walls.

• Director: Judy Dougherty '06
• Mentoring Program: Fr. Sean O'Brien, O.F.M.
• Community service and justice advocacy