In the blossoming heart of May, St. Rita’s School for the Deaf emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration. The month unfolded like a delicate sign language poem, revealing the profound connections between faith, education, and community. Each moment celebrated the unique communication of the Deaf students, their hands weaving stories of resilience, their spirits dancing with understanding. Last month filled me with memories of a smile. At St. Rita’s School for the Deaf, where community, learning, and growth are part of everyday life, the activities carried out in May portrayed the reason why the school is not only the best Catholic Deaf School in the country, but also a citadel with a special mission. From the reverent May Crowning of Mary to the joyous First Holy Communion, the graduation ceremony, and the feast day of St. Rita, the school demonstrated that true communication transcends spoken words.
Reflecting on the spiritual and Marian devotion that took place on the first Friday of May, I was so touched by the active participation of students and staff during the mass. The beautiful school chapel of St. Rita was filled not only with signs and smiles, but with reverent silence during the May Crowning of Mary. Students offered flowers, prayers, and reflections in a language deeper than words, honoring the Mother of God through visual hymns and peaceful presence. Also, on the 3rd Sunday of May, after well-guided and coordinated preparation, Lilly Gonzalez and Lian Valdivia, two Deaf students, received their First Holy Communion. What a joyful moment for those kids, their families, and relatives.
Filled with enthusiasm, the students celebrated their growth in both mind and heart in their respective classrooms through literature, science, arts, capstone projects, and poetry recitations in sign language.
On the 22nd of May (feast day of St. Rita of Cascia), was a great day and time for sharing, inner stillness, and the exhibition of the spirit of “camaraderie” (mutual trust and friendship), where students and staff embraced their faith, reflected on gratitude, and deepened their sense of purpose anchored in the legacy of St. Rita, Patron of impossible causes.
As the month neared its end, a bittersweet joy filled the air. A Holy Mass was celebrated to kick-start the graduation ceremonies of 4 seniors. Their graduation symbolized not just an academic milestone but a testament to the school’s mission of empowering Deaf students. Each signed performance, each prayer, each moment of reflection spoke volumes about the school’s commitment to holistic education and spiritual development. However, the graduating students were reminded that they have been pruned and so should remain in the Lord, just as the Gospel of the day pointed out. Ms. Kim, a teacher for the Deaf students, led a stunning signing performance that captured the essence of communication beyond sound. The students’ journey represented more than academic achievement. It was a celebration of identity, language, and spiritual growth. Parents watched in awe as their children demonstrated the depth of their education, the strength of their spirits, and the beauty of their unique language.
May at St. Rita’s was not just a month on the calendar, it was a living testament to the power of education, the beauty of silence filled with meaning, and the grace of a faith that speaks without sound but is heard in every heart.
Fr. Charles Onumaegbu
