Sixth Grade Visits St. Francis Xavier Church During Holy Week

On Monday of Holy Week, XJA's sixth grade students made a meaningful pilgrimage to St. Francis Xavier Church in downtown Cincinnati, where they attended Mass and walked through the Stations of the Cross. The visit offered students a prayerful and immersive experience as they entered more deeply into the sacred season.

Fr. Jim Ackerman, S.J., led the group on a tour of the church, sharing the rich history and significance of the saints represented throughout. Students learned about several Jesuit saints, including St. José, and explored the deep connection between the church and the Society of Jesus. Fr. Ackerman highlighted the founding partnership of St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius of Loyola, whose vision and friendship gave birth to the Jesuits and continues to inspire XJA's mission today.

The church also holds a broader history reflecting Cincinnati's immigrant heritage. A statue of St. Patrick stands as a reminder that St. Francis Xavier once served as a spiritual home for the city's Irish immigrant community. Students also visited a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, a moment of encounter with the universal reach of the Catholic faith.

The trip reflects XJA's commitment to faith-filled formation, one of the school's five core pillars. Throughout Lent, students have engaged in daily prayer, the midday Examen, and ongoing reflection rooted in Jesuit spirituality. Walking the Stations of the Cross at St. Francis Xavier brought that formation to life, inviting students to encounter Christ's passion not just as a lesson, but as a lived experience of faith.

XJA is grateful to Fr. Jim Ackerman, S.J., for guiding the tour, and to Sister Whitney Schieltz, S.C., for her warm welcome.