Loyola University Maryland Sodality records

Sodality at Loyola was founded on December 8, 1852, shortly after Loyola’s establishment. According to J. A. d’Invilliers, S. J., in Loyola’s Evergreen Quarterly (Volume 7, Number 4, Summer 1952), Sodality is “an organization which has been characteristic of Jesuit schools and colleges since 1587.” He quotes the Sodality Rules in identifying its aim as “fostering…an ardent devotion, reverence and filial love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The Rules further state that Sodality “seeks to make the faithful…good Catholics, sincerely bent on sanctifying themselves…and zealous to save and sanctify their neighbor, and to defend the Church of Jesus Christ against the attacks of the wicked.”

Over the years, Sodality also was known as or listed as Sodality of the Annunciation and the Holy Angels, The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and The Blue Star Chapter of the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception in the university’s catalogs and yearbooks.

According to the 1959 Evergreen yearbook, Sodality was “one of the most active organizations on campus,” with weekly meetings and projects including “the October Rosary Devotion, Lenten Mass Club, May Devotions, Queen’s Ball, closed retreat and monthly nights of recollection.” Sodality engaged in “apostolic works such as helping in hospitals regularly and spiritual aid to the Bishops.”

The last mention of Sodality was in the 1966 Evergreen yearbook. An organization titled Society for Christian Understanding appeared in the 1968 Evergreen yearbook with the description, “an outgrowth of the old sodality, the SCU continues its second year of activity…furthering its goal of fostering a Christian atmosphere on campus.” This organization was listed for the last time in the 1972-73 catalog.

Sources:

Loyola College. Evergreen. Baltimore: Garamond Press, 1959.

Loyola College. Evergreen Quarterly. 7.4 (1952).