Dear Cathedral Family,
May is very special for us, bringing the beauty of spring, hopefully warmer weather, brighter days, and blooming flowers that define the season. As a Catholic and Holy Cross School, May also represents a time of hope for the future and, of course, in the excellent model of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It is very intentional, therefore, that we are hosting two unique and special celebrations this May, both related to our devotion and love for our Patroness, Mary, the Mother of God. On May 7, we will host a dedication for our new grotto; the following week, on May 15, we will host the traditional May Crowning. These are preludes to our Commencement Weekend, including Baccalaureate Mass on Sunday, May 18, and Commencement on Monday, May 19.
The beauty of our campus is a wonderful home for the many depictions of Mary we are blessed to have. In just a short jaunt from my office in Kelly Hall, I can see a beautiful framed Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda, Our Lady of Guadalupe, a poster for our spring musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, prayer cards for Our Lady of the Hill, a photo of Our Lady of Loretto, and the stunning mosaic of the Madonna of Ladywood, which can be seen from the entire stretch of the administration hallway to its perch outside the nurse's office. As a universal figure, Mary has appeared and is portrayed in a wide variety of cultures to be able to show her accessibility to all, and that is a big part of our May mindset.
So, as we begin this most beautiful month of May and Mary, I ask you to pause and appreciate all the beauty of our campus, your yard at home, and the natural beauty everywhere. In a special way, I ask you to join me in soaking in the new beauty of our grotto, which will come to life this month with blessings, celebrations, as well as flowers, bushes, and trees. Mary said "yes" to God and the Holy Spirit via the Angel Gabriel, and her "fiat" changed the course of human history. I beseech you to say yes to God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus in an extra sincere way this month. Compared to all the beauty God has given us, it seems like the least we could do.
Thank you, and may God bless our educators, students, community, and the Class of 2025 in a special way this month.
Our Lady of the Hill, pray for us!
Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Our Lady of Kibeho, pray for us!
Madonna of Ladywood, pray for us!
In peace and joy,
Rob Bridges, PhD
President