Malvern Prep Welcomes the Class of 2030 and Transfer Students at Brotherhood Ceremony

On Wednesday, September 16, Malvern Preparatory School formally welcomed the Class of 2030 and Upper School transfer students into the community during the Brotherhood Ceremony in the O’Neill Sports Center.

Dr. Patrick Sillup, Head of School, opened the ceremony by addressing the students: “Gentlemen, by choosing Malvern, you have chosen to be together. To navigate the next several years with others … to commit yourself to serving the Common Good.”

This signature event marks the students’ formal entrance into the Malvern Prep Brotherhood, a cherished bond that extends far beyond their years on campus. Luke Capaldi ’27 encouraged the students to embrace the significance of the moment: “When you sign this book today, I invite you all to not take it lightly, but to think about it as a contract that binds you to this family. Whether you’re Class of 2030 or you graduated 50 years ago, we are all connected, and we will all show up for each other, because Friar brotherhood is truly forever in our hearts.”

Rev. Michael Riggs, O.S.A., reflected on the example of Malvern’s patron, St. Augustine, who spent much of his life searching for this kind of brotherhood. He explained that Augustine understood he could find God and truth by pursuing them in community with others. “No one goes through school or life alone; we go through it together, we go through it as one … one orchestra, one team, one Spirit, one Brotherhood.”

Following the speakers, the formal induction ceremony began, with students seated alongside their parents and guardians. Each student was presented with a St. Augustine medal, which was placed around his neck by a parent or guardian. The medals bear the image of St. Augustine, founder of the Augustinian Order of Priests, whose friars established and continue to support Malvern Prep.

Each student and his family were then blessed by one of the Augustinian Friars participating in the ceremony: Rev. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A.; Rev. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D. T; Rev. Michael Riggs, O.S.A.; and Rev. Donald Reilly, O.S.A., D.Min.

Following the blessing, students signed their names in the class ledger, symbolizing their acceptance into the Malvern Brotherhood. They then returned to sit with their classmates, completing a meaningful ceremony that marked their formal membership in the Malvern Prep Community and welcomed them into a brotherhood that will remain with them for years to come.

Dr. Sillup closed the ceremony by saying, “We are part of a brotherhood that will serve you today and for life.” 

Congratulations to Malvern Prep’s newest Friar Brothers!