Malvern Prep Welcomes the Class of 2028 and New Transfer Students with Brotherhood Ceremony

On Wednesday, September 18, Malvern Prep formally welcomed the class of 2028, along with transfer students from the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027, into the Malvern Community during the Brotherhood Ceremony held in the O'Neill Sports Center.

Rev. William Gabriel, O.S.A., opened the ceremony by sharing the story of Rev. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., the first quadriplegic ordained priest who 'borrowed strength from others' to lift his hands. "This is Friar Brotherhood," he explained, emphasizing how we lift each other up so that the Holy Spirit might work through us in how we care for, forgive, and support one another."

The ceremony began with each student sitting alongside their parents/guardians. They were then presented with a medal of St. Augustine, which their parents or guardians placed around their necks. These medals depict the image of St. Augustine, the founder of the Augustinian Order of Priests, who established and support Malvern Prep. Each student and his family were then blessed by one of the five Augustinian Friars participating in the ceremony; Rev. Christopher Drennen, O.S.A. ’73, Rev. William Gabriel, O.S.A., Rev. Michael Riggs, O.S.A., Rev. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., and Rev. Patrick McStravog, O.S.A. Each student then signed their name in a class of 2028 ledger, symbolizing their acceptance into the Malvern Brotherhood, before returning to sit with their classmates, a gesture marking their formal membership in the Malvern Community.

Mr. Patrick Sillup, Head of School, spoke to the group by noting that trying to describe the concept of Malvern Brotherhood to others is often a difficult task if they have not experienced it themselves. He welcomed senior Rylan Arata to share how his understanding of brotherhood evolved over the years. “At first, it didn’t click with me, and made me feel left out,” he admitted, “but over time, it seemed like brotherhood became less of a phrase we said and more of a concrete thing we did.” He encouraged his fellow students not to worry if they are not yet feeling the connection, but to give it time, and strive to be the brother they hope to have. 

Sillup closed the ceremony by addressing the class of 2028 and new transfer students, expressing the School’s honor in having them as a part of this special and unique community. “One that starts by choosing to take a journey with others, lift each other up, and by doing so, making anything possible.” 

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