Dear Friends of Delbarton, In the classic Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, the hapless milkman philosopher Tevye tries to explain what tradition is all about and why it matters so much. His efforts meet with varying degrees of success among the inhabitants of his Russian shtetl and within his own family. Right at the show’s beginning, just before the first song (“Tradition”), he tells us that “because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is, and what God expects him to do.” For the Delbarton community, Tevye’s insight into tradition is full of meaning. Current students and alumni alike refer regularly to Delbarton Tradition and traditions when they describe what makes Delbarton special, distinctive, different from other schools. Some traditions are annual events like Homecoming, Spirit Week, Christmas Lessons and Carols, the Winter Musical, Commencement. Other traditions center around the manner of our life together. These traditions are the friendly yet respectful relationships between teachers and students, coaches and athletes, directors and performers. They are also the warm welcomes we give to guests of all kinds, the easy readiness of students and staff to serve the needy, the mutual support our students, staff and alumni readily give to one another. Our traditions do indeed tell us who we are, and what God expects us to do. For the best of Delbarton’s traditions spring naturally from our Benedictine Catholic identity and mission. They provide tangible ways of living out values like “Hospitality,” “Love of God and Neighbor, “Obedience,” and “Humility.” These values are only some of the Hallmarks of a Benedictine School that you will now see portrayed in word and image throughout the first floor of Trinity Hall and in St. Benedict Hall (our newest campus building that opened in April 2021). When our traditions are authentic, they are sure guides to living well, for they are the fruit of good trees,
planted in the rich soil of Delbarton’s mission.
Maureen Nowak P’12,’14’,18,’23/MGN Photography
From the Headmaster
In my August opening of school remarks to our staff and to the student body, I highlighted how a good deal of our life-giving tradition was obscured by the Covid-19 pandemic. I asked both staff and students to make 2021-22 a year in which we “Renew our Tradition.” Renewal means more than simply going back to February 2020 and repeating what came before. Rather, it is a graced opportunity in which we can judge what is truly authentic in our tradition and traditions, and give it new vigor. We want our traditions to be always truly reflective of our identity and mission. We want them to be affirmations of all that is good about Delbarton, and sources of inspiration to each new group of students and staff who will add their story to Delbarton’s ongoing story. In this issue of DELBARTON, I hope that you will see our living Delbarton tradition sprung back to full vitality, even if the forms of those traditions have changed somewhat. If you can’t come to campus, there’s no better way to see Delbarton alive and thriving than a good read in this wonderful magazine.
Yours in Christ and St. Benedict,
Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B. Headmaster
Fall/Winter 2021
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