On Wednesday, April 1, during Holy Week, the Class of 2027 engaged in several activities throughout the day to further their spiritual development. Instead of having a normal school day, these juniors participated in the Junior Retreat, preparing themselves spiritually to become leaders of the school as they finish out junior year and head into senior year. Additionally, they participated in the Junior Cross Mass, a ceremony to cap off their transitional spiritual journey of “taking up their crosses” by receiving cross necklaces and reflecting on the responsibility they must take on in the following months.
Junior Retreat
Stage 1: To Build Community
To begin this exciting day, juniors made their way to the Terry Center and found their small group tables. Each group consisted of roughly seven to ten juniors, one of whom was a member of the Junior Leadership Council and the group’s retreat leader, as well as one teacher to assist in leading the group.
Prior to the start of the retreat, Asher Meachem ’27 led a brief piano performance for the juniors, building excitement throughout the crowd. The retreat began with a speech from Dr. Knize about fellowship meals, where juniors were taught the importance of brotherhood and sharing a meal with the people you love. He highlighted the impact a good meal can make, no matter the food, due to the bond that is formed between the people sharing the meal. Afterwards, juniors were given the chance to get affiliated with their group, whether their group members were close friends or people whom they barely know, as well as participate in a quick small group discussion about the fellowship that can be found in shared meals.
“Most of life can feel like the drive thru. Quick conversations. Surface-level interactions while moving from one thing to the next. But not every moment has to be that way. A good meal, one we take the time to share, invites others to be present and to be known.” – Dr. Knize
Stage 2: To Be a Christian Leader
Starting this part of the retreat off, Kian Esfahani ’27 performed an intermission piano piece. Then, Mr. Segal gave a speech about being a Christian Leader, reflecting on a mentor he had during his time at Boston College. He noted of this man’s leadership qualities, always being able to make a positive impact on those around him and serve as a true Christian leader. Additionally, Mr. Segal touched on the love he saw within him, and his ability to make anybody feel at home. Through this speech, Mr. Segal hoped to inspire the junior class to embody his characteristics and act as Christian leaders for their brothers.
Afterwards, students and teachers moved to classrooms to participate in deeper discussions with their small groups. In these groups, student leaders led discussions over topics related to making a difference in one’s community as a Christian leader. Members were asked questions that went into detail on the traits of a Christian leader and reflected on areas of balance and imbalance in one’s life. Together, they emphasized the values that make them Christian leaders, as well as ways that they can better themselves and serve as the leaders of the school once the Class of 2026 is gone.
Stage 3: Rotations
As students made their way back into the Terry Center, they were greeted with a performance from juniors within the Jesuit Band. To begin this part of the retreat, Mr. Garrison gave a speech regarding the responsibility of taking up one’s cross. He reflected on a phrase his mother used to tell him:
“Come home with or on your shield.” – Mr. Garrison
He further highlighted how this phrase can be applied to the lives of the junior class, the “shield” representing the Ignatian values that these young men carry around with them day-by-day.
Following this speech, students made their way to one of three stations: a quiet examen reflection in the Terry Center that gave students the opportunity to participate in Confession, Stations of the Cross prayer by Ranger Stadium, or a brotherhood activity in Walsh Gym. All three activities gave students the opportunity to deepen their faith and further their development to take up their crosses.
Stage 4: To Be a Disciple
Before this session, students were given 40 minutes of recreational time outside, building community and brotherhood together. They then made their way into the Terry Center to be greeted by a guitar performance sung and played by Taylor Ripley ’27. Afterwards, Mr. Lingel informed the juniors on how to be a disciple. He explained the lives and characteristics of Jesus’ twelve Apostles, highlighting the virtuous characteristics that brought about the strongest qualities within each of them. Through this speech, he inspired juniors to live more like these disciples, taking up their crosses and embodying their godly ways.
Following this talk, juniors returned to their small group classrooms one last time, reflecting on their strengths, weaknesses, and things they would like to “funnel” out of their lives to improve the Class of 2027 and present themselves as positive role models for the underclassmen.
Concluding the retreat, the junior Godly Guys led a prayer service, further emphasizing the point to “Take Up Your Cross” and inspiring community amongst this growing class.
Junior Cross Mass
With a short turnaround time, juniors returned to the Terry Center at 6:00 PM with their families to celebrate the Junior Cross Mass. This mass was celebrated by Fr. Jon Polce and Fr. Paul Deutsch, bringing together a crowd of families to commemorate these young men. As the Homily finished, one by one, each junior was called up to the front of the Terry Center to receive their cross necklace. At the front of the Terry Center were several Jesuit staff members, including President Earsing, Principal Garrison, Dr. Knize, Mr. Waits, Dr. Gruninger, Mrs. Buehn, Mr. Ferguson, and Mrs. Farrell. After juniors received their crosses, mass was concluded with the processions of Communion and other closing remarks. As juniors and families exited the Terry Center, juniors were eager to get in photos with their fellow brothers, coming together to celebrate taking up their crosses.
“the junior cross mass was a very meaningful time of reflection. receiving the cross is a great milestone in my jesuit career.” – michael schwabe ’27
Conclusion
As the seniors finish out their last month at Jesuit, the juniors are actively preparing themselves to become the leaders of the school. In doing so, several have already taken part in more enriching activities, such as deepening their faith at the Junior Kairos Retreat and being accepted into the Big Brothers committee for next year’s freshman class. As juniors participated in this experience, they accomplished yet another hallmark in the journey of a Jesuit man for others, taking up their crosses and embracing the duty of leadership that their community calls them to.
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