On Sunday September 7th our school community gathered for the annual Mother-Daughter Mass, a cherished tradition that celebrates the sacred bond between mothers and daughters, showcasing the love, faith and strength that passed down from one generation to the next. The Mass began with a slideshow of mothers and daughters, setting the stage for the celebration. Coinciding with the canonization of St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, the day reminded students in a special way of God’s constant love and guidance.

Mother-Daughter Mass is a tradition based on a lasting legacy that celebrates the beautiful relationships between mothers and daughters. This Mass encapsulates what it truly means to be a Lourdes girl and allows the students to create memories and the moms to reminisce on the memories they share with their daughters. It is a memory that will last a lifetime for both mother and daughter.

“As a senior, this Mass felt so special because my mom was a Lourdes alumnae and the fact that I got to experience this with her for all of my four years here and this is our last one left me sentimental as to how our relationship has grown and will continue to grow,” senior Kristine Villena said.

Ms. Martica Castellanos emphasized how the tradition gains more value over time. “It’s just something that you think is just a regular date, just a regular Mass, but down the line, you’ll realize that it’s so much more than that. So don’t miss one because they don’t come back,” Ms. Martica Castellanos ’82 said.

After going a couple of years without her mom present, this year felt extra special and allowed her to reminisce on all the good times she has spent with her mom, here at Mother-Daughter Mass, both as a student and beyond. Sister Carmen also had the privilege to bring her mom this year as well and it brought a deeper connection this year.

“During the prayer about protection, my mom said to me, ‘you’re protecting me now,’ which was a touching and sweet moment. I think it did feel a lot different this year from the last couple of years because she wasn’t there with me. So that exchange with the mother and the daughter was especially meaningful to me this year, especially with her insight into how our roles have changed,” President Sister Carmen ’85 said.

The Mother-Daughter Mass remains one of Lourdes’s most enduring traditions, celebrating the faith, love and connection that strengthens the bond between generations of Lourdes Academy women.