The Spirit of Justice
September 16, 2021 |
The sounding of the shofar. Student voices in choir. A reading in Hebrew from Deuteronomy.Then a homily medley: Rev. Abby King-Kaiser ("Confused, astounded, and amazed") and Dr. Norm Townsel (on the harmony of "Lift Every Voice and Sing.")
All embedded in a Mass of the Holy Spirit, the ceremonial start of the academic year for every Jesuit university, and concluded with blessings from several faith traditions. (Wishing you hadn't missed Tuesday's Spirit Celebration? You're in luck...)
As a university, we're good at meaningful rituals. As a Jesuit, Catholic university, we're very good.
And this year? In my judgment, we were particularly good. Not least because of the concluding processional.
From Bellarmine chapel, we stepped across the yard for the blessing of Justice Hall.
(No, not that Justice Hall -- but if your mind went there, I can guess how you're spending this weekend.)
Then the surprise ending -- the naming of the hall's four towers for heroes of justice: Henrietta Wood, John Lewis, Antonio Johnson ... and CAS's own Dr. Janice Walker.
Indeed.
