By Jackie Roberts
Staff Writer
“The Good Journey”: sounds familiar, doesn’t it? A journey beginning at Bona’s is a concept engraved in all students, whether they are a sophomore, junior, senior or even an alumnus.
On Thursday, Aug. 22, St. Bonaventure University once again welcomed freshmen with a Candlelight Ceremony, so they, too, can understand the importance of a “Good Journey” during their next four years.
The Candlelight Ceremony has been a tradition at St. Bonaventure for more than 15 years. Members from each major sector of the university were represented at the ceremony, including representatives from campus ministries, the Student Government Association (SGA), the Orientation Team, as well as university president Sister Margaret Carney, O.S.F., who spoke to the incoming class and parents at the Candlelight Ceremony.
To begin the ceremony, freshmen walked down a pathway lit by candles while flocks of parents looked on.
“It makes the official beginning and transition into St. Bonaventure significant,” said Chris Brown, the newly named director of First Year Experience (FYE).
Brown added that sometimes the ceremony seems more significant to the parents than the students.
“Based on the number of tears, I can see the parents appreciate it. It helps them understand that their children are stepping into a good place,” Brown said.
Tatyana Ethier, orientation team co-coordinator, led the freshmen in the St. Bonaventure pledge.
“Not only does the ceremony induct incoming students into starting their new journey, but it gives them the opportunity to share a special moment with their peers that they will always remember,” she said.
Freshman strategic communication and digital media major Brianna Dioguardi said the ceremony was an unforgettable experience.
“The candle-lighting ceremony will always be my first memory of feeling unity with my classmates,” Dioguardi said. “I loved the symbolism of the flame bringing us together as one single class.”
Rebecca Cribbs, a freshman journalism and mass communication major, said the ceremony made her feel welcome at the university.
“After the ceremony, I felt like a true member of the St. Bonaventure family,” she said.
Over the years, people have responded positively to the event, so much so that the FYE staff felt it reasonable to allow more students to experience it and have now added a specialized Candlelight Ceremony for transfer students.
“We wanted to offer that same mirror image of starting and ending to transfers as well,” Brown said.
The transfer Candlelight Ceremony took place in the chapel during Welcome Days. Brown explained there is a Candlelight Ceremony for seniors as well, therefore the students begin and end their journeys at St. Bonaventure with the same reflective commemoration.
While the ceremony acts as an important occurrence in every Bonaventure student’s life, it’s clear that the event is a part of something much bigger than just one class. It speaks volumes for the Bonaventure family and the bond that holds it together.
In the spirit of new beginnings, the Candlelight Ceremony gave the newest members of our Bona family a positive first step on their good journey.
