Introduction
For many high school students, deciding where to continue their higher education journey is a challenging task. With nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, it can be difficult to differentiate between them. So, what makes a college special?
What makes a college special?
If you ask someone what makes a college special, they would likely respond with hands-on learning, small classes, affordability, or a way to a career. At Albertus Magnus College, we are lucky to check all those boxes… but what else makes us special? One word: traditions.
Albertus Traditions
From Candlelight Convocation to Service Day, it’s safe to say that Albertus has an abundance of unique traditions. Today’s blog post will focus on the first Albertus Tradition of the school year: Candlelight Convocation.
History of Candlelight Convocation
The Candlelight Ceremony, now known as Candlelight Convocation, has existed since the inception of the college in 1925. The ceremony originally took place outside of Rosary Hall at twilight on the founding day of the College, but has since evolved. Today, the Candlelight Ceremony takes place right at the beginning of the school year.
More than just a “candle”
While the Candlelight ceremony itself would be special on its own, Candlelight Convocation has evolved into an even larger tradition. On the day of the event, new students and Albertus staff are welcomed into the Behan Community Room (BCR) to come together and celebrate the start of this new educational journey. The event begins with a prayer service for the Holy Spirit- asking for God’s guidance and blessing. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will then introduce a Convocation speaker, followed by the Candlelight Ceremony.
Candlelight Ceremony
At the beginning of the ceremony, students recite and sign a tradition of honor, which introduces the idea of maintaining integrity in their schoolwork and their relationships with fellow students, faculty, and staff in fostering a positive campus environment. The signed proclamations are stored in the College archives and brought out for future events such as class reunions. The ceremony itself is the ritual of new students having their candles lit by the senior students, thus passing the light of knowledge as they begin their Albertus journey.
When asked about expectations for students with the tradition of honor, Sister Anne Kilbride, O.P. said, “We don’t expect you to be perfect; we expect you to be learning.”
After signing, new students will then step forward to have their candles lit by upperclassmen, signaling the beginning of their new journey at Albertus. Students will also receive two items: one a stone that says “honor” to remind them to be honorable, and the second a red rose as a sign of the new life they are beginning.
From there, a chorus sings The Dominican Blessing as Albertus staff outstretch their hands over the students, blessing them as they begin their journey. An Albertus Magnus College Alumna/us presents that year’s class banner, each one dedicated to one of the four pillars of the Dominican Tradition. For the incoming class of 2027, their banner will be yellow to represent the pillar of Service.
The chorus will then sing the Albertus alma mater, and students will process out and hang their class banner in the hall of the campus center. When the class of 2027 graduates, their banner will be brought down and signed by the graduating students.
The day then concludes with an all-campus picnic that celebrates these new students beginning their journey at Albertus Magnus College.
Conclusion
Candlelight Convocation is just one of the many unique Albertus Magnus Traditions that you will likely not find anywhere else. Armed with the light of knowledge, first-year and transfer students are ready to begin their journey at Albertus Magnus College.
This year’s ceremony
Stayed tuned for details on this year’s upcoming Candlelight Convocation. We cannot wait to welcome you to our Falcon Family!