Bishop Ricken celebrates All Schools Mass

Bishop David Ricken celebrated the All Schools Mass on October 1 at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. More than 700 students representing 51 schools attended the liturgy in Mother of Mercy Hall.

During his homily, Bishop Ricken spoke about the importance of being childlike rather than childish. He explained that being childlike involves being humble and obedient to parents, teachers, and the Lord. He noted that the date coincided with the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a diocesan patron saint who modeled spiritual childhood through her Little Way.

Students participated in the Mass as lectors, ushers, and choir members, and representatives from each school presented prayer bouquets to Bishop Ricken. Following the liturgy, which the bishop concelebrated with 10 other priests, students prayed the rosary to ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Champion.