Gonzaga University

What is Campus House?

Come visit us!!

1104 N Dakota (across the street from the COG)

Coordinator: Ms. Michelle Nilsen, GU class of 2007, at University Ministry

Student Assistants: Emily Hempelmann and Julia Marshall

Bl. Peter Faber House (formerly called Campus House) serves as the center for the planning, preparation and running of all seventeen Retreats that University Ministry has each academic year. This house is staffed by two students each year, who live there and who schedule all activities for Faber House, who look after the upkeep of the House, and who offer hospitality to any students dropping in to hang out.

Blessed Peter Faber, S.J. (also referred to as Pierre Favre--the French spelling of his name), a roommate of St. Francis Xavier while they were students at the University of Paris, was with Francis Xavier the first companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder in 1540 of the Jesuit Order of priests and brothers. Ignatius acknowledged that Peter was without peer in his ability to guide people spiritually (as a spiritual director). Ignatius also judged Peter the greatest master of the first generation of Jesuits at giving the Spiritual Exercises (an intense, guided retreat written by St. Ignatius of Loyola).

The naming of Bl. Peter Faber House (formerly Campus House) coincides with an international year of anniversaries for the Jesuits--the year 2006--marking 500 years since the birth of Blessed Peter Faber (April 13, 1506) and St. Francis Xavier (April 7, 1506), as well as the 450th anniversary of the death of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31, 1556). The title "Blessed" in front of Peter's name indicates the stage immediately prior to being called a "Saint" in the Catholic Church.

This year, the Faber House residents are:

Faber House Activities:

• Drop-in spot for all students, in friendly location at the center of campus
• Full kitchen facility for baking, for preparing birthday parties; a kitchen and dining room for freshmen and sophomore students (who lack a home-like kitchen and dining room in their residence halls) to have fun evenings together
• Location of University Ministry team meetings each week
• Planning and preparation site for the running of all University Ministry Retreats: Freshmen, Search, Cardoner, Law School, Spiritual Exercises, Senior Retreats
• Movie and Mandibles nights (i.e., watching a movie, with pizza, and then a discussion led by a Jesuit priest or other faculty member)
• Residence Hall gatherings: student dinners, RA and RD meetings
• Meeting spot for Catalyst groups (i.e., spiritual conversation groups for students)
• Meeting spot for campus clubs, especially those to do with the spiritual and religious aspect of the University

Our Philosophy:

Bl. Peter Faber House (formerly Campus House) located on the corner of Dakota and DeSmet, has been established by University Ministry to provide an experience in Christian living for the upbuilding of the Catholic and Jesuit identity of the University.  Fostering and promoting the goals and spirit of University Ministry, the house residents provide activities which respond to the recreational, educational, and spiritual needs of the Gonzaga community at large.

The purpose, therefore, of Faber House, is to provide not only kitchen facilities and an informal meeting space but more importantly a home-like environment in which people of all faiths - students, faculty, staff and friends of the Gonzaga community -can experience fellowship, a fun place for gathering, a good place for conversation.

Questions?
Contact Michelle Nilsen in University Ministry, x4244