Welcomed by Assistant Head of School Dawn Regan and presided over by Fr. Mark Villano, the Mass offered graduates a moment to pause before the fullness of Graduation Day. In his homily, Fr. Mark drew a powerful connection between the Mass of the Holy Spirit that begins each academic year and the Feast of Pentecost, which celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples. Just as Marymount calls upon the Spirit at the beginning of the year for guidance and inspiration, he reminded the Class of 2026 that the Spirit is also present in moments of transition—calling, sending, and preparing them for what comes next. 

Fr. Mark invited the seniors to reflect on the ways the Spirit has already been at work throughout their Marymount journey: in the moments that expanded their perspective, in the challenges that taught them perseverance, in the relationships that shaped them, and in the quiet nudges that helped them discover new parts of themselves. Drawing from the Gospel and from reflections shared in his homily, he encouraged graduates to remain open to new perspectives, to claim the power of choosing their attitude, and to trust the Spirit for guidance through every season of life.

That message felt especially fitting for a class standing at the threshold of so much change. Graduation Mass is not only a farewell, but a reminder that Marymount’s mission does not end when students leave campus. It continues in how they see the world, how they respond to challenge, how they lead, and how they carry forward the faith, courage, and compassion formed within them.

The morning also marked an important welcome into the wider Marymount family. Molly Gould Kublicki ’91, parent of Juliette ’26, formally welcomed the graduates into the Alumnae Association, inviting them to see themselves not as leaving Marymount behind, but as joining generations of women whose lives remain connected through this shared experience. Katje Davis, parent of Piper ’26 and Keaton ’24, and Michelle Johnson, parent of Lyla ’26, Sloane ’29, and Rya ’24, also welcomed senior parents into the Parent of Alumnae community, honoring the families who have walked alongside their daughters throughout this journey.

Members of the Student Life team offered prayers for the graduates, lifting up the hopes, gratitude, and blessings of the community as the Class of 2026 prepared to step into the next chapter of their lives. In those prayers, and throughout the morning, there was a clear sense that this moment belonged not only to the graduates, but to the parents, guardians, teachers, mentors, and friends who helped bring them to it.

Following Mass, seniors and their families gathered for a breakfast, surrounded by the people who have loved and supported them along the way. It was a final celebration before Commencement—a chance to embrace, take photos, share memories, and linger together in the joy of all that this class has become.

For the Class of 2026, Graduation Mass offered a meaningful final blessing: a reminder to be grateful for the season that has shaped them, to trust the Spirit that will guide them, and to move forward knowing they remain forever part of the Marymount family.