Rosary Day, a beloved annual school tradition, is just hours away. But, in between the flurry of excitement about which dress will look best and what Disneyland rides to go on after the ceremony, an unaddressed question remains: “What does Rosary Day even mean?”
A surface-level analysis explains that Rosary Day was created to celebrate the current junior class receiving their class rings and officially becoming upperclasswomen. This ultimately gives parents, friends, family, staff, alumnae, and students the opportunity to gather and witness this group of young women take on upperclasswomanhood. But, if you take a deeper look, you’ll see that the Rosary Day tradition represents so much more.
Taking a peek back into religious history, Rosary Day holds a spiritual significance that’s often overlooked. Senior Class Moderator, Mr. Bevins shares: “This is why I really like the fact that Rosary Day is celebrated around the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary… it comes from Mary’s intercession in helping Pope Pius V win an epic naval battle… As upperclasswomen, Rosary students could not have a better role model than Mary.”
While this textbook definition of Rosay Day explains its everyday, surface-level meaning, this year’s juniors, who are about to embark on this new experience, have some insight on what this celebration specifically means to them.
Sophia Aquino ’25 stated, “The meaning of Rosary Day is to celebrate the unity and the sisterhood between us and those who have come before us.” Classmate Avery Rabago ’25 also shared, “Rosary Day is about becoming upperclasswomen and just celebrating womanhood in general.”
By the same token, Malia Sims ’25 reflected on the faith-filled roots of the school tradition, “The meaning of Rosary Day is to celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary’s feast day.” Likewise, fellow Snow Leopard Abigail Zabala ’25 also stated, “Rosary Day is a time to celebrate Mother Mary and the junior class embodying her.”
And while all of these juniors’ opinions are valid and correct, there is still a deeper meaning to Rosary Day.
Rosary Day is about more than just receiving a pretty ring, going to Disneyland, and earning the title of upperclasswomen. At its core, Rosary Day is meant to celebrate, support, and encourage Rosary’s junior class as they step up and take on the new responsibility of upperclasswomanhood, following Mother Mary’s example along the way. Mr. Bevins agrees, saying: “…juniors see where they have been so far on their journey… and look forward to becoming the best versions of themselves.”
Rosary Day is meant to encourage juniors to accept responsibility for their grades, classes, and behavior as they further their journey in high school and start looking toward their futures and college. It’s a reminder for them to carry themselves a little differently, extend a helping hand to freshman, and to take accountability for how they contribute to the Rosary community.
When you are attending this year’s Rosary Day celebration, remember to think about the tradition’s true meaning and celebrate its importance to our entire school community.
