Students Gather for Espresso and Spirituality at New Agape Latte

Coffee and spiritual discussion is proving to be a natural — and popular — combination at the College of the Holy Cross as students line up to listen to their favorite community leaders talk about spirituality at Agape Latte, a program recently brought to campus.

Sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Campus Activities Board, Agape Latte originated at Boston College and came to the attention of Holy Cross students at the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference last summer. The program was brought to life on College Hill by a committee led by Emily Breakell ’17, SGA’s director of spirituality and social justice.

“My hope is that Agape Latte might be a space for students, staff, and faculty of all faith and non-faith backgrounds to investigate basic human questions together,” says Breakell. “The program is an opportunity for members of the college community to articulate their stories to an audience of excited and willing listeners."

Even in its youthful stages, the first two Agape Latte events — featuring Stephanie Yuhl, professor of history; and Daniel Bitran, professor of psychology, respectively — left the Levis Browsing Room in Dinand Library overflowing with students.

“It’s a unique opportunity for students to discuss faith in an open forum with their professors,” says Nicole Burshan ’17, who has attended both programs. “Agape Latte breaks down the typical boundaries between students and professors that exist in the classroom.”

Agape Latte affects more than just the students in attendance.

“It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had at Holy Cross,” says Bitran. “I saw it as an opportunity to reach out to students in a way that was not accessible to me. Whereas students know me as a professor in the psychology department, this was a wonderful opportunity to disclose some part of my life. For faculty, it provides a chance to show our students that we are people, just like them, with similar challenges, uncertainties, hopes and achievements.”

Students love hearing about the lives of those who are shaping their own during their college careers, says Breakell.

“The students were so eager and interested that it created an environment that lets one feel able to peel off whatever layers might exist and be vulnerable,” Yuhl explains. “The experience was very cathartic and moving. It felt human and authentic, and offered a space for everyone to be present, which is a real gift in our fast-paced lives.”

The program, which gets its name from the Greek word “agape,” meaning unconditional love, is designed for students to explore deeper questions of love, faith and life together with members of the Holy Cross community.

“Agape Latte allows for spiritual development that isn’t necessarily tagged to any particular denominational practice,” says Yuhl. “There’s space for secular lessons that have a spiritual element to them.”

The third and final Agape Latte event of the semester will feature Keith Maczkiewicz, S.J., assistant chaplain, on April 16 at 8:30 p.m. in the Levis Browsing Room. The event will begin with coffee and a musical performance by the co-ed a cappella group, Fools on the Hill.