Faith Formation

Holy Mass is at the heart of our Catholic identity at Incarnate Word Academy. Rooted in the Eucharist, we gather regularly as a school community, comprising students, faculty, staff, and administration, to worship, give thanks, and grow in communion with Christ and one another. We celebrate Holy Mass monthly, on Holy Days of Obligation, and other significant occasions. We are grateful to the priests of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, who minister to our community and support our mission of forming Women of the Word. Parents, alumnae, and guests are always welcome to join us in these sacred celebrations. 

• August 8, 2025 – Freshman Retreat Mass – 9:15 a.m.
• August 15, 2025 – Solemnity of the Assumption – 10:00 a.m.
• September 10, 2025 – Founders’ Day Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• September 21, 2025 – Homecoming Mass – 9:30 a.m.
• October 7, 2025 – Hispanic Heritage Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• November 3, 2025 – All Souls Day Prayer Service – 10:00 a.m.
• November 25, 2025 – Black Catholic History Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• December 8, 2025 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and Caring Hands Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• January 8, 2026 – Young Alumnae Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• January 27, 2026 – Catholic Schools’ Week Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• February 18, 2026 – Ash Wednesday Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• March 10, 2026 – Campus Ministry Week Mass – 10:00 a.m.
• March 25, 2026 – Feast of the Annunciation (IWA Feast Day) Mass – 10:00 a.m. 
• April 11, 2026 – IWA Auction Mass – 5:00 p.m.
• April 15, 2026 – Senior/Parent Mass – 8:00 a.m.
• April 29, 2026 – Grandparents’ and End-of-Year Mass – 10:00 a.m. 
• May 17, 2026 – Baccalaureate Mass – 2:00 p.m. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, is a sacred encounter with Christ’s mercy and healing. Instituted by Jesus, this sacrament offers us the opportunity to turn back to God, receive forgiveness, and be renewed in grace. 

At Incarnate Word Academy, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered monthly in our Chapel, typically prior to our school-wide celebration of Holy Mass. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in this sacrament of healing and restoration. 

Students who are not Catholic are welcome to speak privately with a priest during this time for spiritual guidance, though they will not receive the sacrament itself. All are encouraged to seek the peace and support offered through this time of reflection. 

“Confession is an act of honesty and courage–an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.” – St. John Paul II

Eucharistic Adoration is a treasured Catholic devotion that invites us into the quiet, prayerful presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Rooted in the early tradition of the Church, Adoration offers a profound opportunity to encounter the Real Presence of Christ and rest in His love.

At Incarnate Word Academy, Eucharistic Adoration is offered twice each cycle in our Chapel. During this time, the consecrated host is exposed on the altar for silent prayer and reflection. 

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to stop by, even briefly, to spend time with the Lord, whether in thanksgiving, petition, or peaceful stillness. 

“The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) have the sacred privilege of assisting in the distribution of the Body of Christ during Mass and Communion Services. At Incarnate Word Academy, this ministry is carried out by students, faculty, and staff who are practicing members of the Catholic Church. 

Students who feel called to service in this role may be commissioned during their senior year. The Director of Campus Ministry will assist eligible students in students in contacting their home parish for the required training, following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. This formation allows students not only to serve within our school community, but also to continue this ministry in her parish after graduation, if desired and needed. 

Per the Archdiocese of St. Louis, students must be at least 18 years of age to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and must be in full communion with the Catholic Church. 

“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324

At Incarnate Word Academy, each day is anchored in prayer. Rooted in our Catholic faith, we begin and end the school day by turning our hearts to God. Prayer is woven into the rhythm of daily life as a reminder that all we do flows from our relationship with Christ. 

Morning, lunch, and afternoon prayers are led by members of Student Council and the Campus Ministry Homeroom during school-wide announcements. These moments of reflection help us center our minds, give thanks, and invite God into the joys and challenges of our day. 

• Daily Prayers

• Morning Prayer: 

We praise Your name, Lord Jesus Christ, Incarnate Word of God, 
By Your Incarnation, You dignified us, 
Open our eyes that we may recognize You in one another, 
Help us, O God, to be the loving presence of Jesus, 
the Incarnate Word today. 
Praised be the Incarnate Word! Forever, Amen. 

• Lunchtime Prayer: 

God our Father, 
You sent your Son to become incarnate
in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
May He be present now
in our meal and in our rest, 
in our friendship and in our prayer, 
in our words and in our actions. 
We ask this through the same Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
God forever and ever. 
Praised be the Incarnate Word! Forever, Amen. 

• Afternoon Prayer:

Loving God, 
We thank you for the gifts of this day.
For the challenges that made us grow.
For the joy in those we encountered.
For the love present in our community. 
We continue on praising your name and walking in your presence. 
Praised be the Incarnate Word! Forever, Amen. 

• Sisters in Prayer

Sisters in Prayer is a faith-based club open to all students who desire to grow in their relationship with God and with one another. The group meets once each cycle in either the Chapel or the Campus Ministry office, and everyone is always welcome—no sign-up required.
Each meeting is centered on prayer and features a reflection led by a Woman of the Word or a guest speaker. Meetings vary week to week and may include music, videos, personal sharing, hands-on activities, and group discussion based on the leader’s chosen topic.
The ultimate goal of Sisters in Prayer is to help each student discover new and meaningful ways to deepen her faith, connect with her peers, and live out her identity as a Woman of the Word.
Members of Sisters in Prayer also collaborate closely with Campus Ministry, assisting with school retreats, liturgies, and service opportunities throughout the year.

• Respect Life Club

​​​​​​​The Respect Life Club at Incarnate Word Academy is dedicated to upholding the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. Rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, this student-led group seeks to educate, pray, and advocate for a culture of life in our school, local community, and beyond.

Members of the Respect Life Club meet regularly to:

• Pray for a greater respect for all human life
• Learn about life issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching
• Support local pro-life organizations through donation drives and volunteer efforts
• Raise awareness through school-wide initiatives and events, including Respect Life Month and the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

All students are welcome to join as we strive to be voices for the voiceless and live out our call to be Women of the Word who defend the sacredness of life in all its stages.

“All life has inestimable value even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation.” – Pope Francis