Satire: New Faith Found in BC’s Most Beloved Icon

Joseph, CSOM ’25, recounts his first religious experience at Boston College. 

 “Freshman year I was having a very difficult night. Any friends I had made on campus seemed distant and superficial. I struggled to keep up with the demands of school work and social life. I wasn’t taking care of myself. I started losing sleep. I walked to the main campus hoping to find some place, somewhere to seek comfort and peace. I knew some people who went to a couple different spots on campus for church at St. Mary’s Chapel and St. Ignatius church. All were closed. It was cold that night, and I felt shut out from the world. If not there, where could I put my faith? 

I continued on down Linden Lane, and that’s when I saw Him, majestic arms spread wide in glowing acceptance, my faith seeking refuge, the Golden Eagle Statue.” 

Erected on a marble column in front of the University’s most instagrammed building is the Golden Eagle Statue Joseph is referring to. Joseph belongs to a growing group of students fascinated with the power and symbolism of the graceful bird of prey.

“I was just overcome with a sense of awe and wonder. I started sharing my experience with my friends and other students. That’s when I realized I wasn’t alone.”

After Joseph’s testimony, other accounts rose of students having similar experiences not only with Gasson’s eagle statue, but with other eagle statues situated around campus. 

“We trek up a mountain everyday,” said Marisa, MCAS ‘24, “carrying our schoolwork on our backs all the way just to suffer through exams and tests. It just all seems so hopeless and depressing as you’re going up. Then right when I want to give up, right when my legs are about to give out, the two Eagle Statues are there to give me strength.”

It seems eagle statues affect students differently. Some report feelings of peace and security when facing eagle statues. Others like Marisa look at the eagle statues on the million dollar stairs with renewed strength. Other more miraculous events have yet to be confirmed. These include reports of students rubbing the statue and passing midterms or having class canceled.

“I’m not superstitious or anything.” Jordyn, LSEHD ’26, “But after I get out of Campion, I usually stop to go to the Eagle statue outside Alumni for some peace and reflection. Every now and then I’ll go to the meetings.”

Meetings usually involve reading eagle poems and worship music along with prayer and reflection. 

When asked about how his Eagle faith may pose against Jesuit Catholic values, Joseph responded “I don’t think they stand in contradiction at all. If anything I think it augments what Boston College values. BC placed these statues strategically on campus for us to praise the enduring Eagle Spirit. I don’t see how that contradicts anything Jesuit. As far as Catholic values go, I guess I don’t really know about that. BC is a Jesuit university open to all faiths.

William Leahy, S.J. and University President, has yet to issue a statement regarding the new religion.

Already, there are growing factions in the Eagle Church. “There’s a lot of people out there asking why we revere the Eagle so much. We prefer the term “praise and worship” in the real and symbolic strength that is found in the statues.”

“I’m hopeful.” Marisa said. “It’s obvious students come to BC looking for something deeper than the normal college experience. They want something faith based. The Eagle Spirit is already so ingrained in the structure of campus.”

As Boston College students head closer to finals, there is talk of an Eagle Praise and Worship Pilgrimage occurring during study days to aid in student’s prep for papers and exams.