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Loyola Academy Students Celebrate the Universal Church at French Mass
On Thursday, February 26, approximately 300 Loyola Academy French students gathered in the Chapel to celebrate Mass in French, offering a meaningful opportunity to experience the Catholic Church as a truly universal community. Rooted in Loyola’s Jesuit mission of forming the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—this celebration invited students to encounter their faith in a new linguistic and cultural context while deepening their understanding of the global Church.
Through the familiar structure of the Mass expressed in French, students strengthened their listening comprehension and expanded their religious vocabulary, engaging more deeply with key prayers and responses. This experience reflected Loyola’s commitment to cura personalis, encouraging students to grow not only academically, but also spiritually and culturally.
Loyola Academy French teacher Tom Sapp invited Rev. Jean-Audrey Touloulou, SJ, adult chaplain at Saint Ignatius College Prep, to preside at the Mass. Fr. Touloulou, a Jesuit from the French-speaking West African Province, spoke to students about the importance of language study as a means of sharing the Gospel and connecting across cultures. In his homily, he reminded students that words have the power to convey both beauty and harm, and that the languages they study,whether French or English, carry lasting impact in how they serve and lead as men and women for others.
Students took active roles in the liturgy by proclaiming the readings and offering the Prayers of the Faithful in French. During Communion, students received le Corps du Christ and responded with the universal affirmation, "Amen," underscoring the shared faith that unites Catholics around the world.
The Mass also welcomed middle school French students from Saints Faith, Hope and Charity and Saint Athanasius. These future Ramblers joined in prayer and community, with many eighth graders preparing to continue their French studies at Loyola in the fall. Their presence highlighted Loyola’s commitment to accompaniment and formation across grade levels, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity within the broader Jesuit educational tradition.
Loyola Academy's French program, recognized as "Exemplary with Distinction" by the American Association of Teachers of French, reflects the school’s dedication to academic excellence and global engagement. Through a comprehensive curriculum that includes AP French, cultural immersion opportunities, service-oriented learning, and co-curricular activities such as French Club and the Société Honoraire de Français, students are formed as thoughtful, compassionate leaders prepared to engage a diverse and interconnected world. The Loyola Academy French faculty are Madame Cathy Kendrigan, Madame Inna McNally, and Monsieur Thomas Sapp.
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Loyola Academy French teacher Tom Sapp invited Rev. Jean-Audrey Touloulou, SJ, adult chaplain at Saint Ignatius College Prep, to preside at the Mass. Fr. Touloulou, a Jesuit from the French-speaking West African Province, spoke to students about the importance of language study as a means of sharing the Gospel and connecting across cultures. In his homily, he reminded students that words have the power to convey both beauty and harm, and that the languages they study,whether French or English, carry lasting impact in how they serve and lead as men and women for others.
Students took active roles in the liturgy by proclaiming the readings and offering the Prayers of the Faithful in French. During Communion, students received le Corps du Christ and responded with the universal affirmation, "Amen," underscoring the shared faith that unites Catholics around the world.
The Mass also welcomed middle school French students from Saints Faith, Hope and Charity and Saint Athanasius. These future Ramblers joined in prayer and community, with many eighth graders preparing to continue their French studies at Loyola in the fall. Their presence highlighted Loyola’s commitment to accompaniment and formation across grade levels, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity within the broader Jesuit educational tradition.
Loyola Academy's French program, recognized as "Exemplary with Distinction" by the American Association of Teachers of French, reflects the school’s dedication to academic excellence and global engagement. Through a comprehensive curriculum that includes AP French, cultural immersion opportunities, service-oriented learning, and co-curricular activities such as French Club and the Société Honoraire de Français, students are formed as thoughtful, compassionate leaders prepared to engage a diverse and interconnected world. The Loyola Academy French faculty are Madame Cathy Kendrigan, Madame Inna McNally, and Monsieur Thomas Sapp.
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