The Class of 2020 received their senior rings on Thursday, August 22nd, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Orleans. This liturgy celebrates the kick-off to our Crusaders’ senior year and represents the rich tradition of Brother Martin High School.

After a homily by Mass Officiant, Fr. Paul Hart ‘70, Brother Martin Chaplain, and a shared reflection by school Principal Ryan Gallagher ‘00, each senior came forward to receive his class ring from Mr. Gallagher.

“So, “Don’t move”. Make this year a celebration. Make it unique. Create something special. You will create the fabric of the next 50 years at Brother Martin High School with the legacy that you leave behind. What will that legacy be? Many of you started this work as 9th, 8th, and for some, even 7th graders at Brother Martin. As you spend this year inevitably looking to whatever the future holds for you - to what is next - be sure to mind the future of Brother Martin High School. And don’t forget to mind the present of Brother Martin High School as well. Last year we celebrated a monumental anniversary in our school and our institute’s history.” Gallagher continued, “We marked the 50th anniversary of Brother Martin and the 150th anniversary of the Brothers presence in New Orleans. If last year celebrated ground zero, when it all began, then this year marks the beginning of the aftermath. Think about this for a minute: What was Brother Martin like after year one? What did they do for an encore after the novelty of the grand opening faded away? How will you mark this year? What will we say in 50 years about the class of 2020?”

The Senior Ring Mass is a reminder to our students that they are ‘part of the rich tradition that has been passed on by the many men who have ventured forth from the halls of St. Aloysius, Cor Jesu, and Brother Martin High schools.’

The ring itself symbolizes the school’s history, which is rich with the community’s cultural heritage. It connects past and future and is a reminder of the steadfast presence of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans. The symbols on the ring include:

• The crimson stone is encircled by a chain which represents the consolidation in 1969 of St. Aloysius and Cor Jesu High Schools into Brother Martin High School. 
• Brother Martin crest: Incorporated into the crest are five symbols that reflect the rich tradition of Catholic education that shapes the mission of Brother Martin High School. 
• The cross, at the center of the shield, represents the central place that Jesus holds in the school and our students’ lives.
• The arms of this cross embrace four icons which serve to identify Brother Martin. The upper left quadrant contains the image of a heart, recalling both the love of Christ and the 150-year ministry of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and their partners in mission in New Orleans. Below this, the fleur-de-lis is reminiscent of New Orleans and its French cultural heritage. A book, representing learning, occupies the upper right of the field. A torch, symbolizing the light of Christ and a striving for excellence, completes the crest.
• Surmounting the crest is the engraved representation of a pelican. The state bird of Louisiana, the pelican, represents steadfastness and a commitment to the future.
• To the right of the crown is the engraved image of a Crusader. The ideal of the Crusader - the ideal that challenges all students at Brother Martin - is to put Christ before all else and to respond to His challenge to spread the gospel to all nations.
  

“While this may seem like quite a tall task to tackle when compared with that of Fr. Coindre’s, I believe it actually quite simple. My advice to you is simple: Be who you are. Act with resilience. Rise to the challenges that await, be up to the task. Act with Courage and Confidence. Trust in Yourselves and Trust in God knowing you are clothed in His Greatness,” concluded Gallagher. 

On Friday, the seniors headed off to ‘Senior Celebration Day’, a time to have fun and bond as classmates. Continuing the celebration, the seniors and their dates will attend the Ring Dance on Saturday evening, August 24th, in the Tom & Gayle Benson Mall.