Each December during Founder’s Week, the Xaverian community pauses to remember its roots, celebrate its mission, and renew its commitment to values. Throughout the week, the five Xaverian spiritual values of humility, trust, zeal, compassion, and simplicity were woven into daily morning prayer, intercom reflections, and shared experiences across campus.

The week opened on Monday with a focus on the spiritual value of humility. Theology classes began special presentations exploring the legacy of the Xaverian Brothers and the transformative vision of Theodore James Ryken. Through these presentations, students gained a deeper understanding of the community they have joined and the shared mission that guides the school today.

Tuesday offered a balance of reflection and celebration. Before homeroom, students enjoyed a Belgian waffle breakfast in honor of the Brothers’ place of origin. This served as a reminder of the global Xaverian identity and the breadth of the entire community. Later in the day, Campus Ministry Conversations brought students together for a lunchtime dialogue with Brother Joe Pawlika, C.F.X., and Brother Richard Mazza, C.F.X. Their vocation stories were rooted in faith, service, and community, and offered a unique opportunity for students to not only learn about, but see the Xaverian values lived out in practice.

Wednesday was the pinnacle of the week, representing Founder’s Day itself. Centered around a school-wide liturgy celebrated by Fr. Oscar Pratt, the community were called to embrace the Xaverian mission in both word and action. The commissioning of Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools retreat participants and the presentation of the Ryken Award to Mr. Joseph Mackinnon ’84 was a highlight for many. 

On Thursday, the values of compassion and simplicity shaped the day’s events. Students gathered in the campus ministry center where they prayed the Chaplet of St. Francis Xavier and shared a simple meal of soup and bread. Later, the SpiritHawk gathering invited students and faculty to consider how Xaverian’s spiritual values are lived out within the school community and genuinely reflect on ways to further instill them moving forward.

The week concluded with a celebration of school pride on Friday’s spirit day. Blue and gold filled the halls. Freshmen gathered for a special assembly on the legacy of St. Francis Xavier and the Xaverian Brothers, further connecting their own stories to a tradition much larger than themselves.

Founder’s Week served as a meaningful reminder of what it means to be Xaverian. By pausing to reflect, pray, and celebrate together, students and faculty reaffirmed their shared commitment to the values that continue to guide the school’s mission today.

See photos from Xaverian’s Founder’s Day Liturgy here.