When New Isn't

Added Building Enhances Security & Expands Space for Students

In a once-in-a-generation event, the Jesuit community gathered to dedicate and bless the newest addition to campus: the Madonna della Strada Building. The Oct. 4 evening event began in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs with a Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by school president Fr. John Brown,

S.J., and concelebrated by former president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, and seven other Jesuit priests.

The new four-story edifice, which is located at the entrance to the courtyard, architecturally mirrors the large chapel in shape and size and blends in beautifully with the original building on Banks Street.

After Communion, Fr. Brown publicly unveiled the new building’s largest and previously anonymous donors, saying, “I want to thank Mr.

Frank Stewart ’53 and his wife, Paulette. In the early days of the Minds & Hearts Enlightened capital campaign, Mr. Stewart made his support very clear to us in the form of an incredible donation. He said we could put him down for $2 million.

Then he offered another $5 million in the form of a challenge gift. At the time, he insisted on being anonymous until I practically twisted his arm,” Fr.

Brown continued. “Sincerely, Frank and Paulette, thank you both so much for what you have done.”

Explaining the name of the new building, Fr. Brown recounted the history of early Jesuit missionaries who were inspired by the Madonna della Strada fresco before setting out on journeys across the globe, charged with Ignatius’s instructions to “set the world on fire.”

“It seems fitting that the Madonna della Strada should serve as the name of our new building. Our young men who come to Jesuit are barely teenagers, and they do so with the expectation that they will be formed to go out and set the world on fire in their own way,” Fr. Brown said.

The Madonna della Strada is a 13th century fresco depicting Our Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus. It was originally painted on the wall of Saint Mary of the Way in Rome, the church of the Society of Jesus that was given to Saint Ignatius by Pope Paul III in 1540. Today, it can be found in the Gesu Church of Rome, the mother church of the Jesuits.

Following Fr. Brown’s remarks, Jesuit’s student body president, senior Joseph Liberto, offered his own thanks on behalf of all Blue Jays.

“None of this would have been possible without good people like you —good people in good positions, who want to do good things. Thank you for helping Jesuit maintain a sense of beauty and excellence for generations to come,” Liberto said.

Before the final blessing, congregants followed the priests and altar servers outside to witness the blessing of the new structure; the unveiling of the beautiful and illuminating reproduction of the 13th century fresco, generously donated by Frank Maselli ’68, which welcomes visitors to campus; and the hanging of the crucifix in the lobby by senior James Alvarez (pictured left), who serves as prefect of Jesuit’s Sodality. 

A LEGACY OF GIVING

Frank and Paulette Stewart’s extraordinary gift to Jesuit High School follows a long legacy of support. In 1926, Henry Prevost (photo below) made a $500,000 gift (worth around $7 million in 2021 dollars) to the school to establish Jesuit’s endowment. His extraordinary gift made in memory of his deceased son, Francis, provided for Blue Jays in need to attend Jesuit tuition-free. Though it has grown substantially since the 1920’s, it has continued to do the same thing for generations of Blue Jays even to the current day. 