The back-to-school season each year marks new beginnings, and for some members of parish communities, it also means heading off to colleges for a year of enrichment and growth.
In many parishes across the Diocese of Trenton, it has become a regular tradition to recognize college-age parishioners and send them off with faith and love as they embark upon another year of learning.
Photo Gallery: College Blessing Mass – St. Leo the Great Parish
This tradition was alive and well in St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, which celebrated Mass on Aug. 12 with a special send-off for those parishioners heading off to college this fall. Witnessing to the importance of their faith in this next step, students and their families assisted during the Mass as ushers, readers and gift-bearers. The Mass included a blessing for the college students as well as their parents.
Father John T. Folchetti, St. Leo the Great pastor, drew inspiration from the morning’s First Reading from the Book of Kings, focusing the students’ attention on four symbols: journey, desert, mountain, and food and water.
“[Journey] is expressed twice, at the beginning of the passage: ‘Elijah went a day’s journey,’ and at the end of the passage: ‘Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you,’” Father Folchetti quoted. “What is this journey of which the Angel speaks? It is not about a trip.”
The Reading refers to the journey of life, no matter its length – and that each journey presents its challenges and choices to the traveler, he explained. Using the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, he noted the importance of choices.
“How critical it is that during the phases of life’s journey, good choices are made,” he said. “This requires wisdom, courage and fortitude – that is, the gifts of the Holy Spirit received in Confirmation.”
The desert, Father Folchetti explained, was a place where Elijah initially prayed for death, but after being strengthened by food and water, was able to continue 40 days and nights until he reached his destination.
“The desert is that place of danger, discernment, desolation, death, deliberation and determination,” he said. “I was 19 years old.. when I first encountered a large rattlesnake. The snake represents lies, cunningness and deception. There are people, things and situations which promise life, happiness and success, ‘if you try this … if you do this.’”
Mountains, he went on, symbolize the place where one encounters God, as when “Moses went up on Mount Sinai, Elijah climbed the Mount of Horeb, and Jesus came down the mount and preached to the people.” And food and drink, too, stand for something more than sustenance.
“Water is more than a drink; bread is more than something to eat,” Father Folchetti stressed. “They are symbolic of life itself, and are more precious than gold. Without [them], the journey is doomed… Jesus proclaims, ‘I am the Bread of Life. Whoever eats this bread will never die.’”
Drawing upon the symbols, Father Folchetti reminded the students of their current place in life’s journey, and to take the Bread of Life – the Eucharist – with them on the way.
“Remember: freedom is not ‘I can do what I want.’ Rather, freedom is to do what is right and good,” he said. “Part of the process of maturing is to discern what makes you a better person and avoid anything that diminishes your sacred personhood … you are going to meet people who do not share your Christian values … set a good example, and bring to them a knowledge of Christ.”
Jessica Ventura, 20, served as an usher during the Mass. A rising junior at Villanova University, Pa., she has frequented the church on Villanova’s campus and has participated in some of the school’s retreats.
Ventura intends to take what she has experienced in her faith journey with her back to school, as well as to future employment.
“I just hope I’ll be able to bring those qualities into the job I have,” she said, “so that [I can] influence that industry I’m working in … maybe it can move past me into the work I’m doing.”
Kathryn Kwapniewski, 18, will start as a freshman at University of Scranton, Pa., this fall. She plans regular Mass attendance and volunteer work, and is open to joining the campus ministry. “I think I will use wisdom to make the right choices, and look to God when I’m facing a difficult decision or a challenge,” Kwapniewski said.
Students were presented with a goodie bag including college essentials and a note to explain: a cup of noodles, an orange and a granola bar “to remind you to eat healthy!”; water, “drink lots of it”; an Act of Contrition card, “to help remind you … we have a merciful God … and all you have to do is ask for forgiveness.”; information about FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students; and a prayer card of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, patron for young adult Catholics.”
“Last but not least, tissues for when you say goodbye to your parents,” the note finished. “Don’t forget to call them frequently. You are unique. You are special. Don’t ever forget that. And don’t forget to come back to SLG during your breaks.”