New England
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July 28, 2021
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Students at the altar

 

Students woke up refreshed this morning after a lively Tuesday afternoon and evening. A sizable group attended the 7:15 a.m. Mass, followed by a quick breakfast in Gould Commons. Then it was off to begin a third day of classes! This morning’s discussion focused on the opening passages of Genesis, and students were amazed at all of the deep and thought-provoking questions that the text evoked. 

“We talked about the tree of life, the tree of good and evil,” says attendee Caleb M. from Garden City, Kansas. “We discussed free will, who has it, who doesn’t, how does it affect us, what does it do for us.” The sections also explored what it means to be “good,” especially in relation to God calling His creation “good.” 

“The feeling of working alongside peers for the common goal of truth, it’s something I really enjoy,” adds Caleb. 

Many then made their way to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel for the midday Mass. After the closing prayer, program Chaplain Rev. Miguel Batres, O.Praem. (’08) offered a blessing with a relic of Bl. Stanley Rother, an American priest who was martyred in Guatemala 40 years ago on this day. Chaplain Rev. Greg Markey has a special devotion to this first American-born martyr, and the College is blessed to have one of his relics in the Chapel. 

Mass & Bl. Stanley Rother Blessing
  • Fr. Miguel gives Communion at the rail
  • Fr. Miguel gives a prefect Communion
  • TAC families kneeling at the Communion railing
  • Fr. Miguel gives Communion to a staff member
  • Venerating the relic at the railing
  • A student kisses the relic
  • Fr. Miguel holds out the relic for another student
  • Students kneel at the rail, with the newly-painted sanctuary visible in the background
  • Students kneeling in the pews as a line forms behind the railing in the background
  • A row of students in a pew
  • Fr. Miguel offering a relic for veneration
  • Another view of Fr. Miguel holding the relic for veneration

A lunch of burgers and fries was then served in Gould Commons, and discussions from the morning’s class spilled over into the dining hall.

After lunch came the day’s second class — and more Genesis. This time students considered Abraham and Isaac, focusing on such questions as, “What is meant by the various blessings given to Abram?” “What does it mean to bless God?” “Was Abraham good, so God chose him to be father of faith, or was he good because God chose him?” “Can you have faith and still question God or be anxious?” Discussions also made reference to Plato’s treatment of filial piety in the Euthyphro, giving the students a sense of how the College’s curriculum is fully integrated. They will get an even greater appreciation of that integration tomorrow, when they discuss Kierkegaard’s various presentations of the Sacrifice of Isaac in Fear and Trembling.

This evening holds a special opportunity for Adoration and confession, as well as other surprises, so be sure to check back first thing tomorrow for updates!

 

Students walk on campus