Age-old observance explores school community’s call to influence any situation its members encounter for the good of others
For the second time in the span of the week, the Prep community gathered for liturgical services this morning, but this instance was a full Mass with origins that predate the Prep’s 119-year history by several centuries. The Mass of the Holy Spirit has long represented an opportunity for Catholic schools to unite in prayer and collectively seek spiritual guidance for their communities.
“This morning is an opportunity to pause, to pray, and to reflect on how we will live out our call to model respect, compassion, and servant leadership in our community,” said Head of School Dr. Ed Hardiman P’19 ’21 ’26. “My prayer this morning is that each of us be open to this experience and listen to how God is calling us to love by sharing our gifts and talents to build a community in which all are known, loved, and valued.”
Campus Chaplain Fr. Jim Ronan ’62 used his homily to add spiritual meat to the bones of being a successful student, as in someone who shows up on time, works hard, and gets involved. He urged the student body to see that basic formula for success as only half the journey within a St. John’s Prep education.
“It’s almost like the Prep has two gates or two portals—one is that basic formula for success, the other is faith,” said Ronan. “That's the one you enter and recognize that each of us is created to be a unique expression of God’s love. That introduces a whole new perspective which underpins and influences and colors and flavors and adds nuance to everything else. All of us are created by a God of love in God’s image, in God’s likeness. When you approach your day with a consciousness of God’s love and God’s spirit present and active in your life, everything is altered. Everything changes. You hear differently. You see more profoundly. You see more opportunities for gratitude. You actually feel a consciousness of the goodness in your heart.”
For nearly five centuries, the Mass of the Holy Spirit has represented an opportunity for school communities to explore their calling, especially with regard to members’ studies, interactions, and support for one another. What is now the University of Messina in Italy celebrated the first Mass of the Holy Spirit in 1548. The Prep celebrated the Mass for the 119th time on Wednesday inside the Dianne and Ray Carey ‘67 Field House at the Leo and Joan Mahoney Wellness Center.
Dr. Hardiman took a moment to mark tomorrow’s anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and paid tribute to those members of the Prep community who died in the attacks: George J. Ferguson III ’64, Raymond J. Metz III ’82, Sean P. Lynch ’85, and James and Mary Trentini. He also called to mind the many first responders who “made the ultimate sacrifice and ran into danger as everyone else fled” in addition to remembering their family members and colleagues who mourn the loss and carry on the fallen’s legacy.
Hardiman urged attendees to view the Mass as a forum for stepping into something new and meaningful together, which ultimately offers the opportunity and freedom to build bridges, make connections, and feel welcomed, regardless of past experience.
“While the tradition of this liturgy has been a constant for close to 600 years, much has changed in our world,” he said. “We are all coming from different faith and spiritual backgrounds. For some of us, Mass is part of our family experiences. For others, this is your first time at a Catholic Mass. No matter what our tradition or experience, our beliefs in God, our questions about God or doubts about God, all are welcome here.”
At the outset of the ceremony, Hardiman publicly thanked those members of the Xaverian Brothers community in attendance: Br. Robert Green, C.F.X. and Br. David Mahoney ’66, C.F.X. Wednesday’s Mass was accompanied by the voices of the St. John’s Prep Liturgical Choir.