St. John’s Jesuit community celebrated Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday, August 26, marking the beginning of the 2022–2023 school year. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a longstanding tradition among Jesuit high schools and universities, dating back to 1584, as an intentional moment to pause, pray and seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in living out the mission to be women and men for others in the upcoming school year. Students, faculty, and staff members began the celebration by welcoming Rev. Karl Kiser, SJ, provincial of the USA Midwest Province and principal celebrant for the occasion, and the incoming freshman class of 2026, which processed into the Chapel of St. John Berchmans accompanied by a hearty applause from the upperclassmen for the first time since 2019. Together with concelebrants Rev. Brian Lehane, SJ, Rev. James Sand, SJ, and Rev. Geoffrey Rose, O.S.F.S. and Deacon Brendan Gillen, Fr. Kiser led the community in missioning Mr. Swentkofske as SJJ’s twelfth president.
Freshman Tradition Resumes at Mass of the Holy Spirit
