Ring Mass: Class of 2022

The Class of 2022 received their senior rings on Thursday, August 27th, at St. Dominic 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. 

The Senior Ring Mass is a reminder to our students that they are integral to carrying on 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.

After a homily by Mass Officiant, Fr. Paul Hart ‘70, Brother Martin Chaplain, Principal Ryan Gallagher ‘00 offered a moving reflection before the seniors received their rings:

“One month from now, 200 years will have passed since ten men of diverse backgrounds ascended together in La Fouviere, a church in Lyon, France, to take the first vows of the Brothers, breathing life to the rich institution that we know today. These ten men gathered together united in Faith in God, in a Holy Spirit that they trusted would provide. Everyone in this church, parents, guardians, faculty and staff, and our Senior Class, in some way has benefitted from that tremendous faith. We are the offspring of that courage. We are the bearers of the fruit of that trust.

On a much, much smaller scale - but in a way not unlike those first ten brothers - we all gather tonight as one unified community: a community of believers…believers in the power of the Holy Spirit; in the mercy and love that flows from the open heart of Jesus Christ; and in the power of Faith.

We gather as a community of Crusaders – as one family. As diverse as we all may be – with different gifts; different forms of service to offer; different insights to share; we are all united in our Faith.

Will you allow God to use you as his instrument for good? How will you be faithful to the values of Brother Martin High School and the Brothers Of the Sacred Heart in a dynamic way? Will you continue to light the path, paving the way for others who will follow in your footsteps?

The ring you’ll receive in just a few moments is not the instrument. You are. I hope you’ll have the courage, trust, and Faith to allow God to use you in the same way he’s used all of those who preceded you.
Ametur Cor Jesu. Ametur Cor Mariae.”

Seniors, let these rings mark your commitment to being God’s instrument every day, even beyond your time at Brother Martin.

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