Loyola Begins a New School Year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit

The Loyola Academy community celebrated its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, August 22, marking the first day of the 2018–2019 school year. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a longstanding tradition among Jesuit high schools and universities, dating back to 1584. It provides students, faculty and staff a moment to pause, pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the upcoming year.  
During the Homily, Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, reminded students that it is our shared calling to be counter-cultural—to build up rather than to tear down. “Be courageous enough to ask this question to God,” he said. “God, what are you calling me to do with a new beginning of the school year?” Fr. McGrath encouraged students move forward into a new school year with open hearts and open imaginations.

After the celebration of the Eucharist, Loyola Academy Principal Charlie Heintz welcomed students to a new school year saying, “This is a wonderful community, and I believe—together—we can achieve great things this year.”

Mr. Heintz then presented the Ignatian Award, which honors an outstanding Jesuit role model, to Porter Moser, head men’s basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago. During the 2017–18 season, Moser’s team made a historic appearance in the NCAA Final Four as a no. 11 seed. It was the first time Loyola-Chicago advanced to the Final Four since its 1963 national title year, inspiring a generation of new fans and rallying a city around Chicago’s Jesuit university.   

Coach Moser spoke to students about creating a positive culture where vision leads to success. “Your culture is the environment you create with your beliefs and value systems,” he said. “You have an opportunity on this first day of school to set the culture.” The coach encouraged Ramblers to never quit, saying that if they fall seven times they should rise eight. He inspired with these words: “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.”  

The Mass of the Holy Spirit was streamed live on RamblerStream, Loyola's free and HD window to Masses, athletic events and more. Watch the Mass here.
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