Malvern Prep Welcomes the Class of 2029 and Transfer Students at Brotherhood Ceremony

On Wednesday, September 17, Malvern Prep formally welcomed the Class of 2029 and transfer students from the Classes of 2027 and 2028 into the Malvern Community during the Brotherhood Ceremony in the O'Neill Sports Center.

Dr. Patrick Sillup, Head of School, opened the ceremony by welcoming our newest members of the Upper School. “Today is a celebration of who we are as a Malvern Prep Community,” he stated, “a community bound by faith, strength, and by love, and committed to being for and with one another anytime and every time we need it.”

Rev. William Gabriel, O.S.A., emphasized to our students, “make a choice to be part of something bigger than yourselves every day, every moment.” He acknowledged that they may fail or not get it right, but will always have the support of those around them, encouraging them to choose this brotherhood. “For the newest friars, you have the opportunity, the privilege of making that choice, of saying I want to be a part of that and I’m willing to do my part to make it something special.”

Following the speakers, the formal induction ceremony began with students seated alongside their parents and 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 blessed by one of the five Augustinian Friars participating in the ceremony: Rev. William Gabriel, O.S.A., Rev. Michael Riggs, O.S.A., Rev. Donald Reilly, O.S.A. D.Min, Rev. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., and Rev. Patrick McStravog, O.S.A. Following the blessing, students signed their names in the class ledger, symbolizing their acceptance into the Malvern Brotherhood, before returning to sit with their classmates, a gesture marking their formal membership in the Malvern Prep Community.

Dr. Sillup closed the ceremony by addressing the Class of 2029 and transfer students, reminding them that continuing to be present, being for and with each other, shows that they understand what Malvern is all about. “We need all of you…to do your part. Your talents, your energy, your interests, ideas, and perspectives are precisely what we need…to shape Malvern Prep in ways we cannot imagine at this time and will be better because of it.”

Congratulations to Malvern Prep’s newest Friar Brothers!

View Photos Here