In the pursuit of God’s greater glory, Jesuit closely partners with parents and families to foster virtue and responsibility in each Blue Jay. Throughout the academic year, several days are set aside for special family events that honor this partnership, and one group of family members was recently recognized as especially deserving of gratitude and admiration: grandparents.

To mark Jesuit’s annual Grandparents’ Day, almost 1,000 Blue Jays and their grandparents streamed to campus to spend the afternoon together. Participants gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for Mass, which was celebrated by Jesuit’s president, Fr. John Brown, S.J.

Fr. Brown’s homily drew a poignant parallel between the mystery of the Transfiguration and the relationships between teenagers and their grandparents. He pointed out that just as the apostles received a vision of Christ’s glorified body as the “destination” on the “map” to Heaven, grandchildren should look to their grandparents for personal, moral, and spiritual direction.

Music was provided by the Jesuit choir under the leadership of scholastic Jeff Miraflor, S.J. Seniors Tucker Schibler and Harrison Harley served as readers, and brothers Albert and Peter Favalora and their grandparents, Debbie and Terri Ursin, Sr., carried the offertory gifts to the altar. After Mass, senior Alex Grilletta shared personal anecdotes and expressed gratitude for the wisdom and love his grandparents have imparted upon him.

The afternoon’s festivities concluded with a reception in the Student Commons. Special thanks to Loupe Photography for providing pictures for students with their grandparents before and after Mass.