Homily given at the Solemn Blessing and Grand Opening of the New Buildings at Salvatorian College on the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, 24th September 2021.
Today is a day of great hope as we celebrate this Mass, the blessing of the new buildings at the Salvatorian College and thank God for his abundant blessings. It is a day of great hope for the Salvatorian community who founded the College in 1926 and celebrated the Solemn Blessing and opening of the New Extensions in 1961, 60 years ago. It is a day of great hope for the people of Harrow and the boys who will attend the College and their families. It is also a day of great hope for Catholic education. We pray that the College will thrive once again and be a beacon of hope and Christian life that shines out in this neighbourhood.
The first reading speaks powerfully of blessings and hope; the blessing that the Jewish people experience on their return from exile and hope for their future. The prophet Ezra tells us that the prophet Haggai, whose name means ‘sacred festivals’, prophecies between 537-510 BC. At the beginning of the reign of King Darius, following the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem in King Cyrus’ reign, and the rebuilding of the Temple, Haggai tells the people that whilst the new temple may not look as grand as Solomon’s Temple, they must have hope as the temple will flourish and become a living home for God. Today the splendid new buildings of the College shine out, more like the glory of King Solomon’s Temple and after months of being shrouded, have their central place here by St. Joseph’s Church. The master carpenter, St Joseph, has overseen their works and ensured the ambitious project came to completion. The new glory of this ‘temple’ will surpass the old.
The opening of the new College buildings, after the challenges of the pandemic, is the result of the commitment of the Governing Body, the Salvatorian Order, staff, families and the sacrifices made whilst living on a building site. On May 15th this year you celebrated the beatification of Blessed Francis Jordan, your founder. His contribution to education on earth may reflect his prayer in heaven as he continues to intercede for you on this day when we give thanks for the work of planners, architects, builders, and the funding of a project of £25 million. Today the College thrives in partnership, at this time, with the Cardinal Hume Academies Trust under the direction of the executive head teacher, Mr Martin Tissot, and the head of school, Mr Allen Bryant. Since 2017, when the reconstruction of the school commenced, the school has been transformed in terms of discipline and serious academic rigour. Thank you.
A Catholic school needs good buildings but more importantly it needs a community which is founded upon Jesus Christ as its living stone. In the Gospel that we have just heard, Jesus asked his disciples ‘who do you say I am’? It is Peter who provides the right answer and proclaims Jesus as the Christ. He is the living stone upon which the Salvatorian College is to be rebuilt. Jesus tells us in the gospel that anyone who follows him must be prepared to carry the cross in whatever way that comes. I know that Catholic schools reach out to those who carry the cross, whether students and their families, or in the community. A Catholic college is not just about education and grades although they are essential, but also the care of each and every member particularly in times of sickness, distress, or bereavement. Over the last century the community of governors, staff and students have been the living stones founded on Jesus Christ that have created the Salvatorian College. It is their legacy for which we thank God and which lives in the minds of families of the wider community as they recognise their contribution to Catholic education in the London Borough of Harrow. The community of ‘living stones’ has great dignity as the Letter of St Peter tells us, ‘But you who are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.’
The context of Catholic education in Harrow is completely different from 1961. At that time there was the rapid expansion of the Catholic population through Irish immigration which provided the impetus to many of our schools and parishes. The dedication and the commitment of those migrants built up parishes and the schools for the good of their children. Today Harrow is richly ethnically diverse; it is a borough of many different religions and peoples. The task of Catholic education is still central; it is to provide a place of learning founded in Jesus Christ which ensures that every student’s potential and giftedness is developed in its fullness. Catholic education witnesses to the faith that we treasure in our hearts which we want to share for the good of others, respecting their religion and background. Blessed Francis Jordan understood this vision; as we read on the website of the Order, ‘Fr Jordan valued universality, inclusiveness and collaboration as essential to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world. This is just as true in our times as it was in the late 19th century… His beatification will reaffirm for the universal Church that the pursuit of holiness and salvation is only possible when we overcome our differences and place our trust in the unconditional mercy and providence of God.’ Important words to hear again today.
On this feast of Our Lady of Walsingham we ask her intercession. A visitation of Our Blessed Lady to the noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches asked her to rebuild the Holy House in 1061. From the Holy House of Nazareth there are many values that we can learn for the building of a Catholic school community. It is a place of love where all are prepared to go the extra mile for the sake of the weakest and the poorest. It is a place of prayer so that prayer permeates the whole of the life of this community. The Holy House at Nazareth speaks of silence; the silence with which Our Blessed Lady pondered in her heart the mysteries of becoming the Mother of God and the Cross and Passion of her Son. She too can be that sign of the contemplation which men and women need in a busy, noisy, and sometimes chaotic world. The Holy House also witnesses to the dignity of dedicated work for the good of each person and the whole community.
We ask the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham and Blessed Francis Jordan so that the glory of this temple may shine out and be filled with the glory of God, a temple where the love of Jesus Christ is at the centre and the commandment of love enables every man and woman to flourish as God desires, not only in the College but out into the service of society.
Bishop John Sherrington
Photo: Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk