Brotherhood Ceremony Welcomes Class of 2019, New Upper School Students

If Malvern Prep President the Rev. Jim Flynn, O.S.A., were to pick two things our society needs more of, they would be unity and love - two of the three Augustinian values that serve as the foundation of the Malvern community. This September, Malvern’s newest members of the Upper School started their journey toward unity and love with a special event that will help form the bonds of brotherhood they will share throughout their lives.

On September 28, each member of Malvern Prep’s Class of 2019 and all new Upper School students were formally welcomed into the Malvern community at a festive brotherhood ceremony in the School’s O’Neill Sports Center. Each student was presented with a medal of St. Augustine that was placed around his neck by his parent or guardian. The medals depict the image of St. Augustine, the founder of the Augustinian Order of priests who established and support Malvern Prep, and reflect the students’ new status as Malvern Friars. Each student and his family were then blessed by one of five Augustinian priests participating in the ceremony. The new Friars then signed their names in a Class of 2019 ledger, which symbolized their acceptance into the Malvern community.

The entire Upper School student body and the families of the Class of 2019 and other new students were on hand for the ceremony. This event brought together Malvern’s two groups of freshman students – those who had attended Malvern for middle school and those who were entering in the ninth grade.

“Many of you are new to Malvern,” said the Rev. Jim Flynn, O.S.A, Malvern President, during the ceremony. “We have waited three years for our class to be complete. This is your school now. Represent us well on and off campus.”

“Unity and love are what makes God, God,” continued Flynn, reflecting on two of the school’s three guiding values. “The things that make God, God are also the things that make humans, human. Unity is at the core of our being; unity and love. We crave union with other people. God is about bringing people together; being in communion with God and each other.” Flynn added, “Malvern brotherhood brings strangers to acquaintances; acquaintances to friends; friends to brothers. The path of brotherhood starts with the need of each other. Yes, Malvern! You are your brother’s keeper. This requires us to listen to others, understand, and forgive.” Flynn concluded by saying, “We need a lot in this fractioned world, but mostly, we need deep unity of love.”

The ceremony concluded with the signing of the Malvern Prep alma mater, led by Malvern’s Liturgical Music Group.

View photos of the Brotherhood Ceremony.