Students led every aspect of the liturgy, from the readings and prayers to the music and crowning of Mary, giving the celebration a deeply personal quality. As with the Marymount tradition, the crowning of Mary served as a visible reminder of the faith, strength, and compassion the community continues to look toward and carry forward.

In his homily, Fr. Marc Reeves spoke directly to the reality many students are navigating this time of year. Referencing St. Paul’s words, “Do not be anxious about anything”, he acknowledged the stress and uncertainty that can accompany transition—whether through exams, upcoming change, or simply the emotions of nearing the end of a chapter.

Rather than speaking about those feelings as something to overcome alone, Fr. Reeves centered his Homily on relationships. Sharing the story of a young couple whose lives were unexpectedly interrupted by illness during the pandemic, he reflected on the way hardship often clarifies what matters most. What sustained them, he explained, was their decision to “double down on relationships”—to lean on one another and remain rooted in community despite uncertainty around them.

He challenged students to approach their own moments of stress and transition in much the same way: not by isolating themselves, but by remaining connected to God, to one another, and to the support systems surrounding them.

“You don’t have to carry the burdens on your own,” he reminded them. 

That message carried powerfully into the senior blessing led by Assistant Head of School Dawn Regan. As the Class of 2026 stood together, the Marymount community extended their hands toward the seniors in a collective blessing—a moment that transformed the Pavilion from simply a gathering space into something deeply personal.

“As you leave familiar landscapes behind,” Ms. Regan prayed, “may you carry with you the echoes of laughter, the warmth of friendship, and the strength of love.”

Her blessing acknowledged both the uncertainty and possibility that accompany transition, reminding seniors that they move forward supported not only by their faith, but by the community surrounding them. “You are loved, that you are not alone,” she said, “and that you are forever writing the story of your own becoming.”

The blessing flowed naturally into one of Marymount’s most meaningful traditions, as seniors came forward to receive roses from their teachers “as a reminder of their courage, faith, and goodness.” In a brief but emotional exchange, years of encouragement, mentorship, and care became visible.

As she blessed the class, Ms. Regan reminded students that while they are preparing to leave campus, they do not leave behind the community that helped shape them. Her words echoed the spirit of the liturgy itself: that the strength students carry forward is often found in the people who have walked beside them along the way.

The tradition captures something distinctive about the Marymount experience: the understanding that growth happens not only academically, but through the relationships students build over time—with teachers, classmates, mentors, and friends.

By the close of the Mass, the celebration felt less like a farewell and more like a sending forth. Rooted in tradition yet centered fully in the present moment, Mary’s Day served as a reminder of what students carry with them beyond graduation—not only the lessons learned inside classrooms, but the faith, relationships, and sense of purpose formed throughout their time at Marymount.