Seek Holiness

A yearly tradition to commemorate John England Day, the Living Rosary is made of students who stand in as "beads," added around the courtyard one by one as our school community recites each prayer of the Rosary, meditating together on the mysteries of our redemption in Christ.   

Our Lady of Mercy Chapel lies at the heart of our school, physically and spiritually. Here students, faculty, and staff can come to rest with Jesus, present in the Most Holy Eucharist, for prayer, reflection, silence, Mass, various devotions, and adoration. Every day begins with prayer here before the first bell, including Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament T-F, and Mass W-F. Confessions are heard all throughout the week, and each Thursday Eucharistic Adoration takes place throughout the entire school day. 

This ancient Franciscan observance has become a yearly tradition at Bishop England. We gather to pray in a spirit of thanksgiving, recounting the final moments of St. Francis of Assisi written down by his brothers, and asking the Holy Spirit for the courage to live out the Gospel radically. 

Each season we pray for God's blessing upon our student athletes and parents, that we may embody virtue and sportsmanship both on and off the field. 

At the start of every calendar year, our school community reflects on the revelation of Jesus, the Davidic King, inscribing our classrooms with the initials of the magi, and seeking to emulate their desire for knowledge and Truth which led them to meet Jesus face to face.

We are blessed to have received from the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey the relics of 6 Saints which we venerate on their feast days and other special occasions: St. Dymphna, a Sister in Christ very special to our student body, St. Agatha, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Blaise, and St. Clare of Assisi. 

The tradition of May Crownings is a beautiful feature of the Catholic faith, honoring Mary as our Mother in Christ, and giving thanks for her maternal love and intercession. 

This is another ancient Catholic tradition we get to experience together as a school community every year! February is the perfect time to honor St. Blaise and ask for his special prayers against throat ailments and all other illness. 

Partnering with our Mental Health club, another more recent Campus ministry tradition is bringing St Dymphna out of our chapel altar for veneration and prayer. Our students get to spend some time with her in the chapel and praying for Christ's healing of mind and soul, and for the mental health struggles of friends and family. 

• Freshman day of formation each August

• Senior day of formation each October

• Sophomore day of formation each February

• Junior overnight retreat each March

• Senior leadership retreat

Striving to be faithful disciples in our roles as teachers and staff, we also choose to be lifelong learners! Throughout each year we take time to step aside from daily obligations to reorient ourselves, focus on our mission of saving souls through the work of education, and deepen our faith. 

One of the goals of BE Campus Ministry is to provide opportunities for parents to connect with one another and enrich their own faith lives. It is so easy to get so wrapped up in the busy-ness of life that we forget to tend to our own spiritual health! Throughout the year we have discussion nights with campus speakers, as well as opportunities for Bible study and faith formation. 

This bi-annual event brings in representatives from solid, Catholic colleges and universities around the world featured in the Newman Guide of Catholic institutions with a strong Catholic identity. If you are a student discerning college, make a point to apply to at least one Newman Guide school! 

Every year we are blessed to welcome religious brothers and sisters, seminarians, and our Diocesan director of vocations to consistently encourage and equip our students to discern God's personal call to priesthood, religious life, and married life.

In various ways throughout our school life, our focus on being raised in dignity and elevated in virtue is especially highlighted in our quarterly virtue discussions during Flex.

Each semester we have the opportunity to hear from local, national, and even globally-recognized Catholic speakers on topics ranging from chastity to the relationship between faith and science.