Tarmac Online

By: Daniel Graziose ’27

Recently, every Chaminade religion class had the opportunity to pray and venerate before the relics of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. The Marianist LIFE Team, in conjunction with Campus Ministry, led four days of prayer and reflection to mark the 25th anniversary of Blessed Chaminade’s beatification by Pope John Paul II. Throughout the week, they guided each class in prayer, explained what relics are, how to venerate them, and shared the story of Blessed Chaminade’s life and mission.

There were four relics present, and each one was a fragment from Blessed Chaminade’s coffin—an object of deep historical and spiritual significance. For many students, this was their first encounter with a relic, offering a rare opportunity to connect personally with the founder of the Marianist Family. During the prayer service, it was emphasized that relics are not magical objects but sacred reminders of holy lives lived for God. They help the faithful feel a tangible connection to the saints and blesseds who continue to inspire the Church today.

To help students better understand who Blessed Chaminade was, his story of faith and perseverance was shared. Born in 1761 in Périgueux, France, Chaminade remained steadfast through the turmoil of the French Revolution, when the practice of Catholicism was outlawed and priests were forced into exile. During his years of refuge in Saragossa, Spain, he deepened his devotion to Mary and envisioned renewing the Church through lay communities. When he returned to France, he founded the Marianist Family—a network of brothers, sisters, priests, and laypeople dedicated to education, service, and living out Mary’s “yes” to God. His vision and spirituality continue to shape the mission and community of Chaminade High School today.

Each class participated in a brief but meaningful prayer service, reflecting on Blessed Chaminade’s courage and faith. The LIFE Team invited students to approach the relics with reverence and openness, offering their prayers for personal intentions, their families, and the school community. The quiet reflection allowed many to pause from their routines and feel a deep sense of unity in faith.

Allan Chavez ’28 reflects, “When I prayed before the Blessed Chaminade relic, I felt reminded of all the holy reminders we as Catholics get to use to deepen our faith. I felt that this helped me realize that our faith can be made from so many different things, and we can choose how we want to form our relationship with Jesus, to make it personal and deeper through all the Church gives us.”

These days of veneration also deepened appreciation for Chaminade’s lasting influence. His perseverance through persecution, trust in Mary’s intercession, and commitment to rebuilding faith communities remain powerful examples of holiness in times of challenge. The relics serve as a bridge between the past and present—a reminder that Chaminade’s mission continues through every act of service, prayer, and leadership at the school.

When asked what it was like helping lead his classmates in prayer and reflection during such a meaningful event, Dustin O’Rourke ’27 of the Marianist LIFE Team explained, “Presenting and being around the relics was a very positive experience. Teaching my peers what relics are and how to be around them was very impactful to me and our school!”

For many students, this encounter with the relics was not just informative but transformative. It opened a door to a deeper and more personal experience of faith—one that connected the Chaminade community to its Marianist roots in a profound way. Magnus Healy ’27 captured this spiritual impact best when he shared, “It was more than an object—it was a symbol. This moment was more than prayer; it was an experience. Something just clicked. The man whom this high school was named after—I was able to be one-on-one with these relics. A piece of Blessed Chaminade’s casket and a bone fragment. It gave me this sense of connection. It had me at peace with God. Through Blessed Chaminade, I have found a new level to my faith that I’m unbelievably grateful for. It made me feel one with our tradition here at school and what we stand for.”

Throughout the week, the atmosphere across campus reflected a shared spirit of reverence and renewal. The prayer services reminded students and faculty alike of the importance of faith in everyday life and of the Marianist virtues that guide the Chaminade community: faith, family spirit, and service to others.

The timing of this event—25 years after Blessed Chaminade’s beatification—added special significance. Beatification is the final step before sainthood and recognizes a person’s heroic virtue and impact on the Church. For the Chaminade community, this anniversary underscored that holiness is not a distant ideal but something that can be lived out daily through compassion, perseverance, and trust in God.

As the week concluded, the relics of Blessed Chaminade had become more than an artifact of history—it was a living sign of faith that continues to unite and inspire. Through the leadership of the Marianist LIFE Team, students were reminded that faith is not meant to remain private but to be shared boldly through prayer, service, and community.