Observances of Religious Holidays

Most observances of religious holidays are organized by student religious organizations with the assistance of the Multifaith Chaplaincy.

Religious Holidays Accommodations Policy

Christian Holidays

Candles and Carols is organized each Christmas season by the Multifaith Chaplaincy. An observance of Ash Wednesday is organized by the Multifaith Chaplaincy and the Catholic Student community, and an Easter Service (Western) is organized by the Multifaith Chaplaincy and the Bates Christian Fellowship.

Hindu Holidays

The Multifaith Chaplaincy supports students in organizing the celebration of Diwali and other major Hindu holidays and festivals.

Jewish Holidays

Working with the student Jewish group, the Multifaith Chaplaincy helps to organize celebrations of major Jewish holidays each year, bringing in a rabbi to celebrate the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, hosting a Seder dinner during Passover, making latkes and lighting candles during Hannukah, and praying at Yom Hashoah.

Muslim Holidays

The Muslim Student Association and the Multifaith Chaplaincy have partnered for observance of Ramadan and on celebrations of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.

Students celebrate Eid