Cathedral High School and the Cathedral Alumni Association are starting a new Christmas holiday tradition: Lighting Cathedral High School in hopes of bringing joy, love, and peace to the community, a symbolic gesture Principal Adolfo Sanchez would like to make an annual festive celebration starting with the Season of Advent.

The 1st Annual Lighting of Cathedral High School took place on Sunday, November 29, the first Sunday in Advent, during a socially distanced event that was live-streamed on the school’s Facebook page. The small group of in-person attendees included Brother Mariano Lopez, FSC, Rev. Marcus McFadin, D.Min., Pastor at St. Luke Parish and a member of the Board of Cathedral High School Incorporated, Jesse Acosta, a graduate of Cathedral and the treasurer of the Cathedral High School Alumni Association, and Cathedral High School Director of Development and Cathedral alumni parent, Irene Pistella. There was a welcome, music, and prayer before all of the Christmas lights—donated by the Cathedral High School Alumni Association—were turned on at once for all to enjoy. A full moon was an extra gift of light for the momentous occasion.

Brother Chris Patiño, FSC, a graduate of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles and a resident at Cathedral High School in charge of vocation ministry for the San Francisco New Orleans Province, talked about this year’s pandemic being an Advent for all of us. He led everyone in a beautiful prayer saying, “May the lights be a reminder of the light of Jesus that is always with us, the One whose coming we will once again celebrate.”

In the future Cathedral plans to begin with Mass followed by the lighting of the school and a reception with cookies, hot chocolate and carolers. The student body, parents, alumni, and the neighborhood will all be invited because Christmas is a great time to bring everyone together to celebrate and spread cheer.

Photos by Ale Saldaña