Following our April Board Meeting, I want to share a brief reflection from the Mission Moment for publication on our website. It captures both the reality our students face and the responsibility we carry as a Cristo Rey Jesuit community.
Opening Reflection: Surrounded, but Not Alone
The image shows an individual surrounded, outnumbered, under pressure, and facing something larger than himself. Yet his posture is steady. He is grounded, aware, and responding, not running.
That image mirrors the lived experience of many of our students.
Each day, our young people navigate pressures that are not always visible: academic expectations, family responsibilities, financial realities, and the weight of social and emotional challenges. While they may present as “fine,” many feel surrounded.
A Moment That Grounded the Reflection
Recently, a senior knocked on my door and asked me to open the Chapel. As we walked, I asked if she was okay. She responded, “Yes… I’m okay.”
I paused and said, “You seem heavy.”
She stopped and shared, “If I can be honest… have you ever seen Jurassic Park? I feel like the character surrounded by dinosaurs, and one of them is attached to my leg.”
She entered the Chapel.
I thanked her for trusting me and said, “The main character survives, and so will you.”
The Ignatian Call: Accompaniment
This moment reflects what we mean by accompaniment.
In the Ignatian tradition, accompaniment calls us to:
- Walk with individuals in their reality
- Listen deeply before responding
- Recognize Christ present in their struggle
- Create space for God to work
It is not about fixing or solving every challenge. It is about presence.
“Stay with us, Lord.” — Luke 24:29
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
Our Leadership Responsibility
As Director of the Work, I believe this is central to our mission.
Every student who walks our halls will encounter moments where they feel overwhelmed. The defining question is not whether challenges will arise, but whether they will have someone walking with them when they do.
At Cristo Rey Jesuit, we are committed to ensuring:
- No student fights alone
- No burden goes unseen
- No voice goes unheard
What This Requires of Us
Living this mission requires intentional action:
- Be attentive: Recognize when “I’m fine” may not reflect reality
- Ask the second question: “Are you sure?”
- Create space: Sometimes support is not a place—it is a person
- Speak hope: Remind students they are not alone and will persevere
Closing
The reality is clear: pressure is real, and so is fear.
But so is resilience.
In our work, we may not be able to remove every challenge our students face. What we can ensure is that no student faces those challenges alone.
At Cristo Rey Jesuit, accompaniment is not simply an initiative. It is who we are.
Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to our mission.
With gratitude,
Walter D. Reap, Sr., President
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School -Baltimore
