Prep inaugurated the start of the new academic year on September 18 as Jesuit schools around the world have done since 1548—by celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit, our first opportunity each year to gather as an entire community in prayer.
As our student body, faculty and staff, and other guests gathered in our courtyard that morning, surrounded by the vibrant downtown Jersey City neighborhood we call home, we were grateful to welcome the Reverend Rocco C. Danzi, S.J to celebrate with us as we reflected on this year’s theme: “Magnificently Human.”
The day began with words from Prep President Dr. Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91.
“As we begin this school year and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, maybe our prayer is simple: Help us grow. Fill us with wisdom. Give us courage. Inspire us to love one another…so that we can become more fully human by becoming more fully who You created us to be,” he said. “We are unfinished. We are imperfect. We are still becoming. Fully alive. Magnificently Human.”
As we do each year, we also offered special blessings to our Eucharistic ministers; to our Campus Ministry team and all those who lead us in prayer; to our new transfer students joining us for the first time; to our new faculty and staff; to our Student Council; and to the freshman Class of 2030, who had thus completed their first full week at Grand & Warren.
Following the conclusion of Mass, we celebrated our annual Honors Convocation, recognizing exceptional academic performance among our students last year. The Class of 2030 then convened for IgNite, their first retreat experience as Prep students. Led by our upperclassman Campus Ministry Team, they spent the afternoon in reflection, in conversation, and in celebration, learning more about Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Jesuits, and what Ignatian spirituality means to life at a Jesuit school.
