Holiday Celebrations at Magnificat Throughout the Year

Sharing and celebrating holidays with classmates is part of the joy of attending a Catholic school, with Christmas festivities bringing students together for the Humble Hands Advent Project and Prayer Service,

Immaculate Conception Mass, Falalalidays Spirit Week, and tree decorating. In addition to Christmas, students have opportunities to share holidays and cultural traditions from their own family heritage throughout the year.

The Cultures and Traditions Club, for example, was established in 2021 to allow for informal intercultural and interreligious exchange outside of a classroom setting. Moderated by Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Janetta Hammock, the club meets once a month and so far this year has focused on German Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and other cultural celebrations.

“I feel that at Magnificat, there is a good amount of diversity,” Club President Asiya Adnan ’26 said. “My hope is to help educate people more about different cultures.”

Other co-curriculars also engage students in holiday celebrations. Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, for example, brings awareness of the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, which honors the memories of friends and family members who have died. The club

creates an ofrenda, or altar, in the Humility of Mary Center and invites students, faculty, and staff to share photos of loved ones who passed away to place among the colorful decorations.

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Club and Chinese language students have been involved in celebrating Lunar New Year with the school community, serving dumplings and tea, decorating with Chinese calligraphy and lanterns, and demonstrating traditional fan dances. Last year students also partnered with the Communications Department to create a video about Lunar New Year that was shared during Advisory. While Chinese language classes are no longer offered at Magnificat, the AAPI Club plans to continue the traditions established in recent years.

Diversity Week, held annually in April, is sponsored by the DEIB Office and includes a variety of cultural activities often incorporated into holidays. Last year two students demonstrated traditional Irish dancing, commonly displayed at St. Patrick’s Day parades and gatherings, and a fashion show displaying celebratory attire from around the world was featured during lunch.

Looking ahead, Hammock said she is working with affinity groups to expand sharing of Magnificat families’ holiday traditions.

“Highlighting cultural holidays and celebrations is an excellent educational experience for our students,” Hammock said. “These experiences give voice and visibility to the various cultures represented in Magnificat’s student population and expose the entire school community to a rich variety of traditions and celebrations.”