Mount St. Joseph University Brings Zen Den to XJA

Xavier Jesuit Academy welcomed a team from Mount St. Joseph University this morning to launch the Zen Den initiative, a wellness program designed to give students tools to calm down and reset during their school day. Originally scheduled during Catholic Schools Week, the visit was rescheduled due to January snowfall but remains a fitting celebration of partnerships that strengthen faith-based education.

The MSJ team included Katrice Quitter, Chief Belonging and Experience Officer; Joe Shadle, Chief Mission Officer; Maria Ditullio, Coordinator for Mission Ambassadors; Jaimi Cabrera, Director of the Wellness Center; Patsy Schwaiger, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor; Andrew Christianson, Graduate Student and Mission Ambassador, Keilee Dale-Rhyne, Licensed Therapeutic Service Provider, and Joey Moore, Academic Advising Specialist. Students from Saint Ursula Academy also joined during their Catholic Social Teaching class.

The team introduced XJA students to mindfulness practices before unveiling four activity stations: popcorn and bingo in the cafeteria, board games and button making in the first-floor common room, active play and yoga in the second-floor common room, and zen activities in the religion room.

Students learned the "54321" grounding technique: noticing five things they can see, four things they can feel, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. This simple exercise helps when feeling upset, worried, or stressed.

MSJ will establish two permanent Zen Dens at XJA and provide Zen Den kits for every classroom, offering students access to mindful coloring books, journals, fidget toys, yoga mats, puzzles, games, and comfortable seating. This initiative is funded through a ServeOhio grant supporting Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects across Ohio, with 25 MSJ volunteers participating in assembling the kits and setting up the relaxation spaces.

The Zen Den aligns with XJA's commitment to cura personalis by supporting the emotional wellness and whole-person development of our students.