“At Canisius, you have daily chances to encounter God and to learn what saintliness looks like.

In your service projects … in your friendships and studies … in your liturgies, prayer, and retreats — you encounter the saints, and learn how to be one.”

Those are excerpts from the homily of Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Chuck Frederico, S.J., as he celebrated Mass before our entire school community in Scaccia Auditorium on Wednesday's Feast of All the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus.

“Holiness isn't something reserved for [the saints] – it's something that begins right here, with you."

You can read Fr. Frederico's entire Mass of the Holy Spirit homily at our Facebook page.

Students participating in the Mass included: Cameron Schuster ’26 (First Reading, from the Book of Deuteronomy), Richard Posey ’26 (Responsorial Psalm), and Cole Frederick ’26 and William LaCivita ’26 (both read the Prayers of the Faithful). Serving as acolytes were: crossbearer Noah Cosgrove ’26, and candlebearers Christopher Marsh ’26 and Charles Delahunt ’26.

Concelebrants of the Mass were Assistant to the President Fr. Richard Zanoni, S.J., and Assistant to the Principal Fr. Edward Durkin, S.J.

Students and families interested in our unique Campus Ministry experiences and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Niche.com – can learn more by scheduling an on-campus experience at cansiushigh.org/visit

This place is special. Let us show you why.

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Fr. Frederico’s complete homily:

During World War II, the Archbishop of Paris, Monsignor Emmanuel Suhard, said something striking about holiness:

"To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery.

It means to live in such a way that one's life would not make sense if God did not exist."

That's a powerful challenge.

To live so that your life would not make sense without God.

Today, on November 5th, Jesuits around the world celebrate the Feast of All the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus. It's a day to remember the countless Jesuits who have lived and died in service of Christ - and to pray for new vocations, new men who will carry this mission forward.

The lives we celebrate today - Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Peter Canisius, Aloysius Gonzaga, Miguel Pro, and so many others - all shared one great love: a deep, personal love for Jesus Christ.

Their lives, their sacrifices, their courage - none of it made sense without that love.

But holiness isn't something reserved for them - it's something that begins right here, with you.

At Canisius, you have daily chances to encounter God and to learn what saintliness looks like.

In your service projects, when you meet those in need — you encounter the saints, and you learn how to be one.

In your friendships and studies, when you seek truth and support one another — you encounter the saints, and you learn how to be one.

In your liturgies, prayer, and retreats, you open your heart to God — and again, you encounter the saints, and learn how to be one.

The Jesuit saints remind us that holiness isn't perfection — it's direction.

It's about orienting your life toward Christ, listening for his call, and responding with generosity.

That's the heart of discernment, something Jesuits talk about often:

Paying attention to how God is speaking in your life — in your desires, your gifts, and your experiences.

So, my friends, take time to listen.

Ask God for clarity.

Be generous with your gifts.

Let your life be one that only makes sense because of God.

Every vocation - priest, brother, teacher, spouse, parent, friend — begins with that simple yes to God's invitation.

Our Jesuit spirituality invites each of us into a personal relationship with Jesus — one that transforms how we study, how we serve, and how we love.

So today, as we honor all the Jesuit saints and blessed, let's pray for the grace to live as they did: to live well, to love deeply, to discern wisely, and to let our lives point to God. Amen.

#AMDG #MenForOthers #GoCrusaders