Article by Gabrielle Harvey, Class of 2015:
After a long three months of summer, it takes many students a long time to get readjusted into the school routine. Especially for the new students at Kellenberg, these first two weeks can be very overwhelming: all new teachers, students, and a completely different atmosphere. Thankfully, the feast of the Triumph of the Cross is a great way for the students and teachers to have a little break from all the work and focus on our faith.
On Friday, September 12, Kellenberg Memorial held its annual Triumph of the Cross prayer service. On this feast day, we honor the Holy Cross by which Jesus redeemed the world. This event welcomes everyone, including all of the Kellenberg students, teachers, family, friends, and even the students of St. Martin de Porres Marianist School.
Each year, our chaplain, Father Thomas Cardone, S.M., leads the prayer service. Gregorian Consortium also helps out by singing during the service. I have been in Gregorian for the past three years, and each year I sing during the Triumph of the Cross. From that perspective, it is truly amazing to see everyone gathered together in one place to honor Jesus. Junior Alexa Ford sang the song “Amazing Grace.” I believe the words touched all of us because we were reminded of how God gave us this amazing grace that saved us all.
During the service, Father Tom leads us in prayer with the words: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You,” and we respond, “Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.” These words are so powerful because so many of us forget what Jesus did for us, and by celebrating this feast day, it gives us time to honor and remember all that He has done. Each person is given a cross to wear as well as a prayer card. Father Tom blesses the crosses, and at that time, tells us to think of our Baptism because we are being washed away of all our sins. Junior Lindsey Echausse, who assisted Father Tom, shared that, “It was an honor to be asked to speak in front of the entire Kellenberg community. It shows me how much of a family we really are.”
To end this beautiful event, we are all given a drink and snacks from our homeroom. It is a great way to start off your school year and also deepen your faith. Besides this event, there are so many other ways Kellenberg helps you stay involved with your faith throughout the school year making it such, “a beautiful place to grow.”