The Class of 2027 marked one of the defining moments of senior year as Blue Jays gathered with their families for the annual Ring Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. President Fr. John Brown, S.J., served alongside Fr. William Farge, S.J., and Fr. Roy Joseph, S.J., for the special occasion. In his homily, Fr. Brown centered his message on a debt that cannot simply be measured or repaid: a debt of gratitude. He asked the Jays to consider the many people who helped bring them to this moment, including parents and families, teachers who taught them, coaches who challenged them, friends who stood beside them, and generations of alumni whose sacrifices helped build the school they inherited. He also reminded them that gratitude extends in both directions, noting that the school community is grateful for the seniors and for their place in a tradition shared by generations of Blue Jays.

Drawing from the day’s Gospel and the parable of the unforgiving servant, Fr. Brown connected gratitude with the Christian responsibility of forgiveness. In the parable, a servant is forgiven a debt so enormous that he could never repay it, only to demand payment from another who owes him far less. The problem, Fr. Brown explained, was not that the second debt was insignificant, but that the servant had forgotten the magnitude of what had already been forgiven him. “We remember what other people owe us. We forget what we have received,” he told the class. People may disappoint them, fail them, embarrass them, or deny them recognition they believe they deserve, and those hurts can be real. But Fr. Brown challenged each senior to begin somewhere different. Before asking what another person owes him, one must first ask what he himself has received and what he has been forgiven.

That message took on particular significance as the seniors prepared to receive their rings. Fr. Brown acknowledged they have earned them through years of studying, competing, practicing, serving, and persevering. Yet the ring represents more than individual accomplishment. It points to a community, an education, a faith, and a tradition that each Blue Jay has received from those who came before him. Worn long after graduation, the senior ring becomes a visible reminder not only of what the Jays have accomplished, but also of what has been given to them and their responsibility to extend that same generosity, mercy, and service to others.

Music for the Mass was led by Patrick Cragin ’06, Dr. Mark Duggan ’04, and Elizabeth Rizzo. Seniors Oliver Burgeau, Evan Morgan, and Gareth Berner served as readers, Bryson Morse led the Prayers of the Faithful, and Calvin Magee and Blake Couvillon brought forward the gifts. Photography was provided by Jesuit’s advancement office as well as Loupe Photography.

The Ring Mass continues a tradition that connects generations of Blue Jays through a symbol many will wear for the rest of their lives. For the Class of 2027, the ring now carries a reminder to look not only at what they have accomplished, but also at what they have received, and to respond with gratitude, forgiveness, and service to others.