Loyola Celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints

In his homily, Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, opened with words from poet Emily Dickinson: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all…” Fr. McGrath went on to encourage students that, even in moments dark with fear, there is always hope. There is always something more. “There is a horizon of promise no matter the circumstance of the moment,” he said. “There’s something waiting to take flight in the promise that is fueled by hope.”

He reminded students that Jesus, who was a champion of hope, gave us a vision for something more—more life, more compassion and more justice.

“Ramblers, it’s time to stoke that hope. It’s time to be reminded of the hope that is rooted in our souls and to step into it,” he urged. “These are not easy times. They are divisive times. But God is whispering to us: don’t forget the vision. Hear again the call to resist the darkness with real acts of love that matter.

“...There’s something more here that we’re called to. What would it look like if we stepped into that promise a little more? We have such a great power to do more. We are not powerless. We’ve been invited by the Creator to step into our lives in love, reconciliation and hope.

“God is calling us to pay attention to the hope that perches in our souls. We are people with hope to bring; to share; to live! Let's do that Ramblers. That’s our call, our mission and our vocation as women and men for others. Let us recommit to the call.”

To view an HD recording of the Mass, visited the “Masses” section of Loyola’s RamblerStream web page.