Sacred Snow

Feb. 18, 2026

College Knights help build ice chapel for annual event at Michigan Technological University

By Caty Mraz

Feb. 18, 2026

An ice Mass is celebrated in the Ice Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. — Father Daniel LaCroix (center) serves as principal celebrant of a Mass in the Ice Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich., on Feb. 6. Father Ben Hasse (left), pastor of St. Albert the Great University Parish, and Father Dustin Larson, chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University and chaplain of Father Jacques Marquette Council 17772, concelebrate. (Photo by Searra Liggett)

For the past 11 years, students at St. Albert the Great University Parish have constructed an ice chapel on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, drawing international attention. This year, more than 900 people braved the cold on Feb. 6 and 7 to attend three Masses held within the Ice Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.

Among the students and community members who came together during the university’s Winter Carnival to build the structure were Knights from Michigan Technological University Council 17237. Over the course of a month, the builders shoveled, hauled, stomped and carved the ice and snow that formed the chapel, pulling a slab of ice from the Keweenaw Waterway — which connects to Lake Superior — to form the altar.

The ice Mass is a unique expression of the Catholic faith in the snowy Keweenaw area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While many college campuses make ice chapels, Grand Knight Dominic Buzzelli of Council 17237 said St. Albert’s is unique for improving and expanding the chapel’s design each year.

“Not a lot of places are able to embrace the cold and the snow like we do, and the fact that it is used to glorify God is truly amazing,” said Buzzelli, who attended two of the Masses. “I really love the ice Mass because it feels more connected to God’s country.” He added that the chapel takes the natural blessings provided by God and uses them to give glory to him.

The idea of building a chapel out of ice and snow was originally posed to St. Albert’s by the parent of a student, and the tradition began in 2016 as students and Father Ben Hasse, pastor of St. Albert the Great University Parish, took up the challenge. The parish serves students, faculty and staff of MTU as well as Gogebic Community College. Over the years, word of the snowy Masses has spread, drawing attendance from Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

“I can confidently say this was our biggest and best ice chapel ever,” said Father Hasse, a member of St. Michael the Archangel Council 13224 in nearby Chassell. “A number of things all came together: lots of snow; lots of good, cold weather; lots of workers; and continued development of methods and designs from year to year.”

Worshippers pack the Ice Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows at Michigan Technological University for Mass — Worshippers pack the Ice Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich., for Mass on Feb. 6. (Photo by Searra Liggett)

According to Father Hasse, each year the builders aim to add something new to the chapel. “This year, with great conditions, several things went well,” he said. “The side aisles with arched roofing really worked nicely, along with our best ice confessional ever, and a new design for a side chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.”

The 2026 design also expanded the sanctuary and created a more pronounced transept, as well as a more elevated sanctuary floor and pulpit, enhancing the liturgy.

“The continued development by the artistic team really showed in the incredible stained ice windows and the ice murals and mosaics built right into the snow,” Father Hasse said.

Adriane Limmex, director of data and communications for St. Albert the Great University Parish, said she is gratified to see the vision for the ice chapel come to life each year.

“Every year, it becomes more elaborate and beautiful,” Limmex said. “It really shows what the human person can do with some creativity and their God-given gifts and talents. Whether someone prefers the laborious task of stomping or shoveling snow, or the intricate detail work of the mosaics, there is a role for everyone.”

“The ice chapel not only builds a literal structure for the greater glory of God, it also builds up the Body of Christ,” Limmex added. “It’s beautiful how something as simple as snow can, by the work of human hands, become a place of encounter with the Lord.”

Father Daniel LaCroix of the Diocese of Lansing, an MTU alumnus who attended St. Albert’s as a student and was ordained in 2025, served as the principal celebrant for the first ice Mass on Friday.

College Knights stand inside an ice chapel at Michigan Technological University. — Father Ben Hasse (far right), pastor of St. Albert the Great University Parish, stands with Knights from Michigan Technological University Council 17237 inside the Ice Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich., on Feb. 6. (Photo by Searra Liggett)

“To have him be the main celebrant and homilist … was beautiful and full of joy,” Father Hasse said. “In the years ahead, we eagerly look forward to welcoming back more priest sons of St. Al’s to the ice Masses.”

Though he was unable to assist fellow council members with the chapel’s construction this year, Buzzelli attended two of the Masses. During the liturgies, he enjoyed looking up through the open roof at the stars.

“It reminds me a lot of St. Francis of Assisi: being able to see all of God’s creation while celebrating him in the most holy way — the Eucharist,” Buzzelli said.

Outside of their annual assistance with building the ice chapel, Council 17237 is an active presence on campus throughout the academic year.

“It has been such a blessing for St. Al’s to have a Knights of Columbus campus council,” Father Hasse said. “The Knights consistently give back to the life of the parish and help us reach students and serve the broader community.”

*****

CATY MRAZ is assistant editor of The U.P. Catholic, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Marquette, Mich.

Students and staff members of Holy Innocents School stand before custom-printed fencing screens donated by Msgr. John Cawley Council 3629 in Lakewood, Calif., in 2022.

Sacred Snow

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