Matters of Faith

Garde ta foy, keep the faith, may be our motto, but faith looks different for many of our Members. Students, staff and Fellows come from different faith and belief backgrounds.

The Chaplain says, ‘As the Chaplain here I am a Christian priest in the Anglican tradition, but one of my hopes is to support all students from their diverse backgrounds as they seek to practice their many faiths while they are students here. I would be delighted to hear from you if you would like to talk about your faith, and honoured to walk alongside you if you would like help to find your feet in your faith community in Cambridge.’

Get Support

Please contact the Chaplain if you would like support getting involved in your faith community at Cambridge. She can sign-post you and support you.

Please also get in touch if you need more support practising your faith as a resident of the College. Please also get in touch if you’d like to run an event for your faith in Magdalene – we have Iftars in Ramadan, Roshannah celebrations by the Cam, introductions to meditation and more.

Your Faith and Academic Work

The University tries to ensure that the exam timetable takes account of religious observances, but this isn’t always possible because the exam timetable is so complicated – it may be possible for College’s to make alternative provisions if necessary. Your Tutor or DoS, or the Chaplain, can help you in asking for support with special exam arrangements, or with other ways your faith affects your work, if you need it. For more information, see Faith-provision in University exams.

College Prayer Room

First Court F4, is open to all College Members and staff, those visiting them, and those studying or here, for personal prayer, meditation and reflection for people of all faiths. Washing facilities are available immediately adjacent, and there are some simple materials to aid prayer. Please let Sarah know if you have suggestions for improvements.

To host an organised group event for your faith, please contact Sarah.

Interfaith Group

The interfaith reading group meets two or three times a Term, following the Scriptural Reasoning method of reading from different sacred texts around a shared theme. The aim is to make friendships and grow in understanding across difference and to learn to disagree well. All are welcome. Dates are in the Chapel Term Card.

Contacts for Different Faiths

Most major faith communities maintain chaplaincies to students in Cambridge, and many have active faith or belief societies in the University. For contacts for faith communities and groups around Cambridge please see the Chaplaincies and Faith Societies page.