It is a joy to have entered into a holy year, a year of jubilee in the Church – a beautiful invitation to focus on renewing and setting right our relationships with God, with each other, and indeed with the whole of creation. Pope Francis has given this year the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, and he invites us to be builders of hope in the world. Over the coming months, we will be reflecting and acting on this theme and creating opportunities for hope.
As the early January snows receded, Stonyhurst welcomed a group of students and staff from Colegio Seminario, a Jesuit school in Montevideo, Uruguay. Their faith-filled and joyful presence with us was a delight, a particular highlight being the Mass in Spanish in Theodore House, celebrated by visiting Jesuit Fr Luis.
This half-term we have also enjoyed the visitation of Fr Peter Gallagher, the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Britain, who came to support us in our identity and mission as a Jesuit school. He was so pleased to join us in prayer (thank you to the Grammarians who led the exary, currently the youngest OS priest, who was ordained in November.men), and to meet and hear from pupils.
On the evening of Monday 3rd February, our altar servers led a Candlemas procession, which was a lovely opportunity for us to listen to the Word of God, to learn about and pray for different aspects of school life, and to sing. Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Our half-term concludes today with the Mass for the Martyrs of St Omers, former pupils of the College who gave their lives for their faith. Fifteen of them have been recognised by the Church as Saints or Blessed.
The main celebrant will be another former pupil of the College: Fr David Chadwick (OS12) of the York Orato.