Article by Phoenix writer Michaela Dennean ’25:
A memorial dedicated to Senior Christopher Lewis Battaglia was unveiled on Tuesday, May 7.
The memorial can be found in the hallway near the Holy Family Shrine entrance in the Inspiration Hallway, a place where many students walk through on their way into school. The memorial features Chris’ #28 football jersey along with his senior picture and a collage of photos of him. In addition, there is a depiction of St. Christopher, the patron saint of athletes, with the words, “St. Christopher, obtain for us the grace to bear Christ always in our hearts and minds.”
Christopher Battaglia was a model student, athlete, friend, and son. He was a cherished member of the varsity football team, a group of boys he considered his second family.
Chris’ football coach, Mr. Eric Meisse, shares, “He was someone who loved being around his teammates. He was always in the locker room hours before a game, hyping his teammates up, and was always the last one to leave. Chris embodied the team spirit and brought into the family philosophy in both football and Kellenberg.”
Chris’ parents and grandmother, in a display of profound strength and love, were present for the emotional prayer service along with Principal Bro. Kenneth Hogland S.M., Father Thomas Cardone S.M., and forty of Chris’ friends and teammates.The rest of the student body watched the live streamed event from their homerooms.
School Chaplain Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M., blessed the memorial and read from John’s Gospel about Lazarus, the friend whom Jesus rose from the dead. Serving as a reminder of our hope for eternal life, Jesus states in the Gospel, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
Christopher Lewis Battaglia passed away on January 14.The Kellenberg community is comforted to have this memorial as a reminder of Chris watching over all of us. Chris will be forever remembered as a friend to everyone he met and a beloved member of the Kellenberg family.
