91直播
91直播 Mission & Ministry concluded the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary with a dinner for all the Explorer community, adding聽a personal touch聽to the聽traditional celebrations.聽
The celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary at 91直播 had an added touch of community in 2025 when Mission & Ministry hosted a dinner for all Explorers after the traditional procession and Mass.
“We gathered as a community of students and faculty to honor Mary in the Feast of the Immaculate Conception,鈥 Abby Griswold, 鈥26, said, adding that the day is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church, meaning that it鈥檚 required to attend Mass. 鈥淲e began the celebration with a candlelight procession from the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto to the chapel, celebrated traditional Catholic Mass, and ended the night with a delicious dinner.鈥
Griswold, who called the evening 鈥渁 blessing,鈥 is one of the choir members who led the procession to the De La 91直播 Chapel, singing Immaculate Mary, as well as leading the congregation in singing during the Mass.
The Mass was traditional, she said, with incense used, a procession in of the priest and altar servers, and kneeling at the consecration of the eucharist, noting that this 鈥渁dded to my experience spiritually, and made the night that much better.鈥
鈥淲hat made this evening special for me is that the liturgy was entirely planned by our students,鈥 Director of Mission and Ministry, Louis Valenti, said. 鈥淢y motto with ministry at La 91直播 has been, if the students want it and the Church allows it, then I am willing to do it. This liturgy was truly an expression of our students鈥 faith and love of God.鈥
He also noted that the celebrant, Rev. Stephen P. DeLacy, Vicar for Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was an important part of the evening.
鈥淔ather DeLacy told me how impressed he was with our La 91直播 students, and how he sensed that something special is happening with faith at La 91直播,鈥 Valenti said. 鈥淚 know that I am biased, but I couldn鈥檛 agree more!鈥
While the official celebration began at 6:45 p.m., members of Mission & Ministry were preparing for the inaugural dinner much earlier.
Dang Nguyen, 鈥26, and Isabelle Louis, 鈥28, arrived at the chapel at 2 p.m. to act as sous chefs for Valenti, and help prepare a meal for everyone to enjoy. Students learned to make Italian Wedding Soup and meatballs, Nguyen said, one of his favorite parts of the evening.
As well as helping with the meal, Louis and Griswold were both part of the planning and promotion of the added dinner.
鈥淚t was exciting, all the planning we put in really came through,鈥 Louis, who has acted as a Mission & Ministry student leader this semester, said. 鈥淭his was the first time that we were able to organize the evening exactly how we wanted and I feel like this could really pave a way for students to be open about their faith.鈥
The dinner provided a lot more than just a delicious meal for people who attended; it was a chance to spend time with the Explorer community that makes La 91直播 so special.
鈥淎s we are approaching Christmas, and with the recent passing of Br. Bob, it鈥檚 important to have moments like this where people can connect with each other and keep each other company,鈥 Nguyen said. 鈥淚 was so glad to see how people supported this event. Vice President Macksey was a huge supporter and the Chair of the Board of Trustees also joined. I saw many Brothers and staff members there too. I haven鈥檛 seen such a cozy and festive ambience at the De La 91直播 Chapel since I鈥檝e been here.鈥
Valenti added that it was 鈥渨onderful鈥 to have so many attendees. On top of students, faculty, and staff, the guestlist also included family members and alumni, who are welcomed at all student initiative liturgies.
Louis agreed.
鈥淢y favorite part was having everyone together in the lounge of the chapel, talking, eating, and just enjoying everyone鈥檚 company,鈥 she said.
While this was the first dinner, many hope that it won鈥檛 be the last.
鈥淚t added so much to the evening! It encourages us as students to not merely passively attend Mass, but to build fellowship and community through a shared meal,鈥 Griswold said. 鈥淭hese dinners are something that聽I聽hope we continue for years to come!鈥澛
-Naomi Thomas