Spiritual Life

The spiritual life at St. Michael’s Academy is essential to our identity as a Catholic school. All students participate in religion classes each day, learning about the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Beyond the classroom, students are given many opportunities for spiritual growth through prayer, liturgy, devotionals, retreats, and Christian service.

St. Michael’s Academy warmly welcomes students of any faith background, and all students will be encouraged to participate in the spiritual life of the school as fully as they are willing and able to do so.

Monthly Liturgy

Each month the entire school — preschool through eighth grade — gathers for Mass at nearby Holy Cross Church. Local priests join the students to celebrate the liturgy, and a different class or group organizes the singing, reading, and serving at each Mass.

Catholic Schools Week

In January, St. Michael’s Academy participates in the national celebration of Catholic Schools Week. During this week, students usually engage in special community service projects, and the school hosts fun activities to honor everyone involved in Catholic education

Retreats

Middle school students have the opportunity to attend a daylong retreat with their classmates. New Spirit, Inc., — which is run by Pat Sears (father of Nick ’11, Tim ’13, Josh ’15, Danny ’18, and Gabe) — hosts the retreats, which give students a chance to pray and reflect and have a lot of fun.

Rosary

Students learn about the rosary as part of their religion curriculum. During the months of May and October, the entire school prays the rosary together over the intercom—one decade of the rosary each morning. For resources on how to pray the rosary, click here.

Christmas Pageant

Remembering the true meaning of Christmas, students perform the annual Christmas Pageant reenacting the birth of baby Jesus in a lowly manger. The event is held at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Springfield.

Stations of the Cross

Praying the Stations of the Cross is a popular devotional during Lent. The fourteen stations recount the passion and death of Jesus, who carried the cross to his crucifixion. On each Friday of Lent, students pray the Stations of the Cross together. For more information on the Stations of the Cross, click here.

Living Stations of the Cross

Each Lent the eighth graders perform a dramatic reproduction of the Stations of the Cross. The entire school witnesses a reenactment of Jesus’ road to Calvary and prays along with the eighth graders.

May Crowning

In May, the Catholic Church traditionally honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. At St. Michael’s Academy, students honor Mary by participating in a May Crowning. Eighth graders lead the student body in prayer, and second graders present flowers and a crown to the Blessed Virgin.