LIFE ON HIMES
Mass in Oliva Courtyard
Jesuit celebrated all-school Mass
outdoors in Oliva Courtyard on a
beautiful day in early December
JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2020-21 5
Jesuit takes it
outdoors to honor
the Blessed Virgin
Mary with the first allschool
gathering since
before the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has
disrupted daily life in many ways,
notably in the planning of events
and gatherings.
With indoor gathering restrictions and
social distancing requirements, Jesuit
High School has moved several events
that typically are indoors to outside
spaces. In early December, such a
change in plans resulted in one of the
most memorable events of the school
year – a spectacular, outdoor, all-school
Mass in Oliva Courtyard.
Previous all-school Masses during the
2020-21 school year actually have been
spread out over multiple days due to
restrictions on capacity in the Chapel of
the Holy Cross. As such, the Solemnity
of the Immaculate Conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8
time the entire school community had
come together as one since prior to the
pandemic.
Jesuit High School president Fr. Richard
afternoon Mass – the morning forecast
temperature was in the mid-40s, so
it was scheduled for the end of the
school day – outside the front steps
of Holy Cross Chapel, with student
seating arranged in evenly spaced rows
throughout the courtyard.
The Mass showcased many of the
beautiful Christmas displays throughout
campus that the Jesuit Mothers’ Club
and school maintenance crew had
worked tirelessly to set up, including
the Nativity scene in Oliva Courtyard.
The Nativity scene and the antique
lobby of Gonzmart Hall also were
part of Solemn Vespers celebrated on
December 20 at Jesuit.
Jesuit celebrated Solemn Vespers on December 20