Mounties walked to the motherhouse at Chestnut Hill College on October 11, 2024, they could feel the spirit of sisterhood and tradition uniting them through the Founders’ Day mass, lunch, and all-girls dance party.
The Founders’ Day video is displayed every year to introduce the student body to the SSJ’s. The video captures the essence of sisterhood and it prepares the students for the walk to the Motherhouse and gets them excited and involved in Founders’ Day.
“It was one of the most excellent ones I’ve seen over the years,” Sister Charlene Diorka said.
The Motherhouse is the heart of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, symbolizing the foundation of its mission and values. It serves as a gathering place for prayer, reflection, and fellowship. As a center for spiritual formation, the Motherhouse supports new members and ensures the legacy of the order is preserved across generations.
“My favorite part about Founders’ Day was the dance party. All of us just dancing around together and singing, it was all just really fun,” Bianca Cinquino ‘28 said.
“I loved having the sleepover and everyone doing their hair together was all just so fun,” Ainsley Short ‘28 said.
“Having a sleepover with my new friends that I made at the mount felt so unifying, and it made all of us so much closer,” Chloe Conwell ‘28.
The Chapel of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart at Chestnut Hill College was completed in 1928 with striking gothic architecture. Its intricate stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the lives of saints, add a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere. The chapel’s vaulted ceilings and ornate carvings contribute to its timeless, peaceful setting. Serving as a central space for prayer, reflection, and community gatherings, it offers a meaningful place for students to connect with their faith and each other.
During Founders’ Day the mass in the chapel offers Mounties a peaceful space to come together, fostering a sense of sisterhood as they reflect on shared values and experiences. In this breathtaking sacred environment, they find a moment of calm surrounded by friends and peers. Here, students can feel connected to each other and to God, nurturing both their faith and their community.
The energy was vibrant and full of excitement, with Mounties enthusiastically dancing and celebrating together. The crowd is lively and closely packed, with smiles, laughter, and expressions of joy visible throughout. All of the Mounties are fully involved in the moment, enjoying each other’s company and the uplifting atmosphere. There was a strong sense of unity and shared happiness, creating the perfect spirit.
Emerson Gorniak ‘27 loves to play hockey, and she said she looks forward to Founders’ Day, and her favorite part of the school day is lunch.
When asked about Founders’ Day Gorniak said, “My favorite part of Founders’ Day is walking to the Motherhouse, and the preparation for Founders’ Day, especially getting my hair braided.”
