The Sullivan Gym at Saint Ignatius High School was packed with 1,400 students from the high school, 65 Welsh Academy middle schoolers, faculty and staff as eight Saint Ignatius students became fully initiated in the Catholic Church during a liturgy on April 15.

They received the sacraments of initiation — four were baptized, received their first holy Communion, and were confirmed and four who were baptized previously completed the sacraments of initiation (Communion and confirmation) during the liturgy. They are freshmen Michael Mussman, Adrian Schwarzman, Kristian Lynch, Vincent Vanni and Mathias Turner; sophomore Ben Los; and juniors Chase Toth and Brayden Colleran.

Ed DeVenney, director of campus ministry, worked with them during their faith journey.

“Here we encounter the risen Lord in our Upper Room,” Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, himself a Saint Ignatius alumnus, told those assembled. “We’re not just here as witnesses to what’s happening to them (the eight students) … We are all invited to walk out of here changed by encountering the risen Lord in the Eucharist.”

He talked about the conversion story of St. Ignatius of Loyola, patron saint of the Jesuit high school, noting he wanted his life to change so he made a pilgrimage to the Benedictine abbey at Montserrat in Spain in 1522. “He came as a nobleman and a soldier,” the bishop said, but at the abbey he surrendered his sword, dagger and fine clothing.

“That act of surrender signified a new chapter in Ignatius’ life … He surrendered all into Christ’s hands, through the intercession of Mary … Four young  men will do that today in the waters of this baptismal font. Let us pray that God does something wonderful with their lives,” Bishop Woost said. 
“We all need to be willing to surrender our lives to Christ … Jesus surrendered the whole of his life to us and he asks us to do the same. Let him lead and bless you … Pray that we all can walk out like Ignatius, having encountered God in our lives.”

Mary Hrich, director of the diocesan Office for Worship, said Bishop Edward Malesic granted special permission for the liturgy. It was the first time a Mass of initiation was offered at a high school rather than a parish church or in the cathedral. Typically, these liturgies take place during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.