During visit to St. Mary’s Ryken High School, cardinal encourages students to remember God is always with them
ashington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy visited St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown on Dec. 3 to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the Xaverian Brothers religious order that sponsors the school. The liturgy served as the spiritual centerpiece of the school’s annual Founder’s Week celebration.
Founder’s Week, held Dec. 1–5, honors the legacies of St. Francis Xavier and Theodore James Ryken, founder of the Xaverian Brothers. At St. Mary’s Ryken, the week includes prayer, community activities, and opportunities to reflect on the Xaverian values of humility, compassion, trust, simplicity, and zeal. The St. Mary’s Ryken student body, which draws from across Southern Maryland and includes students of different faith traditions, gathered for the Mass, the highlight of the week’s observance.