The Brother Martin Class of 2024, their families, as well as our Partners in Mission, gathered at St. Dominic Church to participate in our annual Graduation Mass celebrated by Fr. Tony Rigoli.
After the liturgy, our President, Mr. Gregory Rando '77, spoke to our graduating seniors about what happiness might look like after they walk across the graduation stage:
"As you have heard throughout the Mass, the Church community celebrates Pentecost on this day. Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection and just ten days after his Ascension, God sends the Holy Spirit as a gift to the earlier apostles to spread the “good news” of our Lord. They are now physically without Jesus the man, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, they bring the gospel message to the corners of their known world. This task unites these early apostles and disciples, gives them a common cause, and creates a community of believers and evangelizers. Over two thousand years later, we who call ourselves children of Christ are still doing this task, united in the one message of forgiveness and salvation.
I find it fitting that our graduation Mass, YOUR graduation Mass, falls on this feast day because Brother Martin is sending YOU out to spread the good news. Many of you are excited about leaving home and the rules and requirements of your parents and school, excited to gain independence and be on your own. Some of you are eager to accept your next academic challenge, desiring to explore a topic of interest and passion, one that you hope to turn into a meaningful career. However, probably very few of you are thinking of being “evangelizers.” That’s something you may relegate to religious brothers, sisters, and priests. But have no doubt, you ARE going out into the world to spread the message of God’s love, of God’s compassion, of God’s forgiveness. To do that doesn’t mean you need to stand at a pulpit or a microphone. You spread this message every day in your interactions with others, simply put, in all of your relationships.
Wednesday night, when you cross the stage to receive your diploma at graduation, your name will be listed in the program. Membership in academic honor societies will be noted by your name as well as any scholarship you received. These are the earthly, tangible signs of the work you did in your four or five years on Elysian Fields. But these designations, numbers, scholarships, and test scores, which may be important to your future and career choice, are not the BEST measure of your formation as a young man. Our belief at Brother Martin (and at any Brothers of the Sacred Heart school) is that the best way to see if we’ve reached our mission is your knowing that God loves you.
Members of the Class of 2024, we charge you with the same challenge as Brother Martin Hernandez all those years ago. The message is the same: be men who go out, make a difference, and face challenges and joys with “courage and trust.” Know emphatically that God loves you, and with Him as his instrument, you will undoubtedly make this world a better place.
The mission of Brother Martin High School reminds us that we each have a sacred story. Now it's time for you to go out into this world and tell YOUR story and be messengers of hope.
Ametur Cor Jesu. Ametur Cor Mariae."
