St. Thomas More Society (Pritzker)
Welcome
Welcome! In conjunction with the Sheil Catholic Center's Chicago campus, the St. Thomas More Society is Northwestern Law's Catholic student organization which aims to foster community, education, and service in the Catholic tradition among Northwestern Law students. We look forward to journeying with you during your time at Northwestern University.
Get Connected
We gather for weekly Mass and social activities, in addition to special lectures and other events. Check out our Catholic Chicago campus page here or register for weekly updates here.
Schedule of Events
Mass and a Meal (Wednesdays, January 14-March 18th, not February 18th due to Ash Wednesday)
During the academic year, Mass and a Meal takes place on Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. at the Religious Life Center, Abbott Hall, Mezzanine Level, 710 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available starting at 11:30 a.m. on the days that Mass and a Meal occurs. Join other students, staff, and faculty for weekly Mass, with food and fellowship afterwards. We look forward to seeing you!
Ash Wednesday, February 18th
Join other Catholics on the Chicago campus for Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 18th at 12:10 pm. in Rubloff 180 (first floor), Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Enter through the 420 East Superior Street Entrance.
Monthly Rosary and Lunch
During the academic year, the rosary is prayed monthly and hosted with lunch provided by the Catholic law students group. Join us at 12:00 p.m. on certain Fridays in the Religious Life Center in Abbott Hall on the mezzanine level. Dates for winter TBD.
For a full list of Catholic events on the Chicago and Evanston campuses, click here.
St. Thomas More Leadership
To be announced for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Previous St. Thomas More Society Events
Restorative Justice: A Panel Discussion
The St. Thomas More Society and Christian Legal Society co-hosted a panel on restorative justice in April 2024. In addition to why restorative justice is needed for the criminal justice system, the panel focused on SB 64, which provides evidentiary privilege for statements made in restorative justice circles. Guest speakers were Fr. David Kelly, C.PP.S. (Director of Precious Blood Ministries of Reconciliation), Matthew Simon (Chairman of the Catholic Lawyer's Guild's Restorative Justice Committee), and Elizabeth Clarke, (Former public defender and founder of the Juvenile Justice Initiative). See photos from the event here.
Racial Justice, Catholicism, and the Law: A Panel Discussion
Watch the video below to learn more about Black Catholic history in Chicago and what you can do to help bring about justice. Guest speakers were Bishop Joseph Perry of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Fr. Dave Kelly of Precious Blood Ministries.
The Wigmore Debate
Was the first dean of Northwestern's School of Law a Catholic? Watch the video below to find out.