No Matter Who’s Watching!

This could not be more apparent for some Chaminade seniors during this past February break while on vacation in the Dominican Republic with their parents. Ben Caccavo ’23 recounts the importance for him and his friends to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, even though school was out for winter recess. “Many of us were intent on receiving ashes while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. When we inquired at the hotel, we were told there was only one Ash Wednesday service being held at the local church at 5 p.m. We were very disappointed because we were all on a pre-planned snorkeling excursion that day and realized we would not be back in time.” Regardless of the scheduling conflict, Ben and his friends knew how important this day in the life of the Church was inspired by their religion classes and involvement in Chaminade’s robust Campus Ministry program.

“Because we had two Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion with us on our vacation group, we thought it might be worth a shot to see if we could distribute ashes in light of our scheduling conflicts.” Ben and his friends were able to coordinate with a local parish to get ashes sent to them in order that they could distribute them.

“I made sure to research proper rules and prayers on the way back from snorkeling,” Ben recalls, “and all of us who wanted to receive ashes gathered together. Luke Moran and I led everyone in a short prayer service and Hail Mary to set the prayer tone for the experience.” In the lobby of the hotel, Ben and Luke were able to distribute ashes to all their vacation guests. Ben identifies that it was his faith formation that inspired his proactive approach to this important day while on vacation. “We had about 30 Chaminade students and their families with us on our trip, so to have an ash distribution service really extended the sense of the Chaminade Family witnessing to the truth of the Gospel out in the world.” Simply put, for Ben, something would have been missing if they did not at least try to receive ashes on such an important start to the Lenten season.

Ben’s story testifies to the goal of Chaminade education: to let faith in God inform everything you do. As a member of CROSS, the Parish Religious Education Program, and the Varsity Lacrosse Team, Ben found influential witnesses to the faith in his coaches, his teachers, especially Mr. Matthew Chicavich ’98, his religion teacher, and Ben’s brother, who graduated in 2020.

Because of the effort and determination of these Chaminade men, many members of their group were able to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, even while on break. “It was a very special moment,” Ben reflects, “We all agreed it was a great way to start the Lenten season together, even if we had to think creatively about how to receive ashes on such an important day. It would’ve never happened if so many of us weren’t determined to get ashes, despite the obstacles of our schedule.”