Mount welcomes Christmas with song and spirit
As the fall semester drew to a close and the December chill settled over the Hudson Valley, the Mount Saint Mary College campus glowed with holiday spirit. In a span of just four days, two beloved traditions brought students, faculty, alumni, and neighbors together.
O Christmas Tree
Photos by Lee Ferris
The Mount Saint Mary College campus glowed a little brighter on Thursday, December 4, as students, faculty, and staff gathered for the college’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
More than just a flip of a switch, the event served as a joyous pause in the semester, bringing the campus community together to celebrate the start of the Advent season. Under the glow of the towering tree in front of Guzman Hall, the crowd joined in singing traditional carols, their voices warming the crisp December air.
Inside, students took a break from their pre-finals studies to enjoy holiday-themed games and a popular stuff-a-plush station, where they created festive stuffed animals to take home.
Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, welcomed the college community.
The event highlighted the college’s commitment to fostering a sense of home and tradition for students before they depart for the winter break.
A Night of Divine Light
Three days later, on the evening of December 7, the celebration shifted from festive energy to divine reflection. The Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary filled for the annual Christmas Vespers: An Evening of Lessons and Carols.
Marking the return of a tradition that dates back to 1974, Vespers offered a moment of stillness amidst the holiday bustle. The service wove together scripture readings with spirited anthems, including “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
The week’s most poignant moment arrived toward the end of the service. As the lights in the chapel were dimmed, the space was illuminated solely by the flickering warmth of candles held by the attendees. In that soft, golden glow, the collective voice of the Mount community rose together to sing “Silent Night.”
From the brilliant lights on the tree to the single flame of a candle, the message was clear: No matter how long the winter nights may be, at the Mount, the semester always ends in the light.
