The Penn Epistle is a Christian journal at the University of Pennsylvania dedicated to
sharing the words of Christ’s followers.
We accept all students at Penn and encourage you to explore what it means to be Christian through our pages.
Access our interest form here.
recent posts
A World With Octobers
This post is written by Father Michael Gokie, parochial vicar at St. Agatha-St. James Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is part of our Pastor’s Corner series. Pastor’s Corner is an initiative of the Penn Epistle to seek and elevate the perspectives of pastors and ministry leaders on our campus. Posts will be…
In My Name
Matthew 7:22 (ESV) “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’” In the beginning was the word And in my name all came to be As spirit ‘pon the wave’s discord…
The Protestant Work Ethic Has Forgotten God
Americans have a peculiar relationship with work. We praise ambition, admire productivity, and treat professional success as evidence of personal virtue. We ask children what they want to be when they grow up, introduce ourselves by our occupations, and measure our days by how much we have accomplished. Even our leisure is increasingly organized around…
The Canonical Hours
Lord, open my lips, + and my mouth shall declare Your praise (Psalm 51:5). These words, taken from the Book of Psalms, open the Invitatory, the traditional beginning to the Canonical Hours. These Hours are a traditional set of prayers that have defined the Church’s devotional life for two thousand years, forming a precious piece…
A Theology of Summer
This post is written by Pastor Doug Tritton of Grace Covenant Church as part of our inaugural Pastor’s Corner series. Pastor’s Corner is a new initiative of the Penn Epistle to seek and elevate the perspectives of pastors and ministry leaders on our campus. Posts will be published on a quarterly basis. When I finished…
For All Time, Always
My beloved, My heart rejoices with every passing day in anticipation of our wedding. I think back to when I first met you, that Hershey-eyed girl pretending to not be nervous when she walked up to me. You were so beautiful that day. I’ve told you this several times, but it doesn’t hurt to say it…
older posts
He is Risen: A reflection on the Resurrection of the Son of Man
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and Ever and Forever. Amen! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Христос Воскресе! Воистину воскресе! (Khristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!) My beloved in Christ, Today, we celebrate the power and glory of our great God and Father who raised Jesus…
Holy Saturday: Silence in the Tomb
It is written in the First Book of Kings that God said to St. Elijah the Prophet, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: and behold the Lord passeth,” (1 Kings 19:11). Following this, St. Elijah in obedience ascended to the crest. When he got there, there was a strong wind, so…
Putting the “Good” in Good Friday
What makes Good Friday “good?” It’s a common and seemingly innocuous question that sometimes occurred to me as a child. On the surface, the name seems like a misnomer. One interpretation points us in that direction—it is theorized that the term “Good Friday” originated from Old or Middle English, where the word “good” might have…
Maundy Thursday: A Recentering of Our Hearts
As college students, we often find ourselves chasing after grades, jobs, expectations, and many other things. We feel rushed, needing to have everything under control. Within this high pressure culture, idolatry easily takes root in our hearts, leading us away from truly seeking God and living in obedience. As we go about this Holy Week…
Holy Wednesday: Reflection on the Nature of True Surrender
Last Friday, my pastor told my small group one of the most insightful truths I’ve heard: “Being a Christian isn’t about trying harder; it’s about surrendering more.” Naturally, I began applying this idea beyond faith. As a Penn student, I am quick to sacrifice sleep, meals, enjoyment, and even my hair (as an engineering major)…
Returning to the Secret Place: Lessons from Holy Tuesday
While there are no clear dates written in the Scriptures, the Tuesday before Christ’s crucifixion, Holy Tuesday, is widely believed to have been the day that Jesus shared so many of what would become His final parables and teachings. Although Jesus speaks on many things—from doubtless faith that can move mountains (Matthew 21:21) to the…
