Room for students to pray at Loyalist College

The new permanent spiritual room at located on the ground floor of Loyalist College’s Kente building. Photo by Julia Lennips, QNet News

By Lori-Anne Little, Julia Lennips and John Bronn

BELLEVILLE – Loyalist College has a new room where students can pray and express their religion.

The Spiritual Room has found a permanent location on campus in classroom 1H6B, across from the bookstore. The room is decorated with a comfortable interior, lots of natural light and frosted windows for privacy. There are also mats for students who wish to use them while praying. The room and its resources are available during regular college hours.

Loyalist Christian Life women’s group co-leader Camille Monsegue says she is excited about the new Spiritual Room and the fact it is welcome to “anyone in any religion.”

There is a list of 10 rules students are asked to follow when they use the room. The rules can be found on the student government website and are also posted at the entrance.

Monsegue acknowledged that it’s possible the rules may discourage some students from using the room: “You can’t wear shoes or anything like that. I like keeping my shoes on when I am in public.” 

But having a space where people can pray and have quiet time is positive for the college, she said. “It’s good because it helps everyone, in their own way, to go and practise their beliefs.”

Student government president C-Jay Stark said the Spiritual Room’s quiet atmosphere is meant to provide students with a safe spot to express their faith.

The fact that the room is open to anyone is awesome, she said. “Even if you don’t practise a belief, you are more than welcome to pop in and sit there or meditate.”

The student government is excited to provide the school with the new space, Stark said.

 “I find it really amazing, because we’re catering to needs that a lot of people don’t understand.”