Celebrate

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Published: September 2012

Nearly 20,000 alumni, faculty, students, and friends of Boston College attended the late afternoon Sesquicentennial Mass in Fenway Park, on Saturday, September 15, 2012. From the altar along the first base line, with nearly 100 concelebrants standing behind him and his image projected live on the Jumbotron, University President William P. Leahy, SJ, said, “Red Sox Nation has also become Jesuit Nation.”

The Mass commenced a University-wide celebration extending over three semesters to commemorate Boston College’s chartering in 1863 by the governor of Massachusetts. Events will include academic symposia and a Sesquicentennial speaker series that begins on October 10 with a lecture by Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust.

Rev. Michael Himes, professor of theology, delivered the homily. Reflecting on the purposes of a Jesuit education, he spoke of how it enables those who receive it “to give something to others.”

Partway through the service, the aroma of Fenway Franks wafted from the concessions, which were opened after Mass. As the sun slanted, crowds took the opportunity to enjoy a hotdog and a stroll along the edge of the field.


The Jumbotron behind the center field bleachers greeted early arrivals and provided close-ups of the altar during the service. The 15-member Sesquicentennial Steering Committee, chaired by University secretary Mary Lou DeLong, booked the ballpark in August 2011.<br/>Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert


Many arrived before the gates opened at 3:00 p.m. In the grandstand, are, from left Erik Tynan ’04 (in blue shirt), with friends of Boston College Ryan Foster, Matt Furlong, Kate Foster, and Anna Foster.<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham


The temperature was a balmy 73 degrees when the Mass began at 4:00 p.m., and skies were blue. Enjoying their box seats before the service were School of Theology and Ministry students (from left) Mary Onwuegebuchulam, DDL; Yen Le, LHC; Hien Nguyen, LHC; Duong Pham, LHC; and Xuan-Tho Phan, OP.<br/>Photograph by Lee Pellegrini


Nearly 100 priests—faculty and alumni, Jesuit, diocesan, and from other orders—joined University President William P. Leahy, SJ, as concelebrants of the Mass. They waited under the stands for the start of the procession that would take them from the right field foul pole (locally dubbed the Pesky Pole) to the altar on the first base line near home plate. In the foreground, from left, are James Keenan, SJ, the Founders Professor of Theology; Rev. Joseph Marchese, director of the Office of First Year Experience; Mark Massa, SJ, dean of the School of Theology and Ministry; and Rev. Robert Imbelli, associate professor of theology.<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham


Boston College High School senior John Colpoys carried the processional cross. Now exhibited in the Burns Library, the cross dates from 1863 and was used in services at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, next door to the original home of Boston College and Boston College High School, on Harrison Avenue in the South End. Boston College High School was cosponsor of the day’s event.<br/>Photograph by Lee Pellegrini


Some 4,000 Boston College undergraduates were present for the Mass.<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham


Commemorative Sesquicentennial missalettes contained the entrance song, "Concertato on Praise to the Lord, the Almighty." The singing was led by the University Chorale of Boston College, the Liturgy Arts Group of Boston College, the Liturgical Choir of Boston College High School, and the School of Theology and Ministry Liturgical Choir.<br/>Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert


Rev. Michael Himes, professor of theology, delivered the homily. "The reason to be educated is to teach somebody else," he said. "You never fully grasp the fruits of your education until you give it away to another."<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham


The Sesquicentennial Mass also served as the Mass of the Holy Spirit, celebrated by Jesuits at the start of each school year. Above, the Profession of Faith.<br/>Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert


University President William P. Leahy, SJ, primary celebrant, elevates the chalice as he consecrates the wine.<br/>Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert


As the University’s Liturgy Arts Group (visible on the Jumbotron) led the singing of "Now We Remain," nearly 200 Eucharistic ministers fanned out to give communion.<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham


In the grandstand, a Eucharistic minister.<br/>Photograph by Lee Pellegrini


With the protective netting behind home plate in the background, Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap, who presided at the Mass, commented on Rev. Himes’s homily. "I think you hit it out of the park," he said. The gold University mace, with its eagle emblem at the top, can be seen the foreground.<br/>Photograph by Lee Pellegrini


Behind the home dugout after the conclusion of the service are, from left, Maureen Kenny, interim dean of the Lynch School of Education; David Quigley, dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; and Vincent Rougeau, dean of Boston College Law School.<br/>Photograph by Lee Pellegrini


Following the Mass, attendees strolled along the warning track.<br/>Photograph by Gary Wayne Gilbert


Zhushan Mandy Li, an assistant professor in the Lynch School of Education, and her daughter, Susan, 6, took in the view from the roof deck.<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham


Fenway Park staff offered congratulations by means of the manual scoreboard at the base of the Green Monster.<br/>Photograph by Caitlin Cunningham

This feature was posted on Thursday, September 20, 2012 and is filed under Slideshows.


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