The bishop's homily theme was how to be a person of hope.  "We start our year with hope - believing, knowing and understanding that today, right now in this moment, that God is with us.  We are never abandoned, alone or isolated by ourselves, God is with us always in everything and in every moment.  That is hope,"  he said.  "This is what true happiness is - knowing, loving and serving God.  That is what we 'hope' you learn in our Catholic schools.  We not only want you to get an exceptional education, but we want you to follow Jesus this school year.  May the Holy Spirit bless our school year and may that same Holy Spirit bless each and every one of us with an abundance of peace, joy and hope."

Catholic education institutions worldwide – particularly those led by the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits – have carried on this annual tradition since 1548, when the initial Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated at the first Jesuit school in Messina, Sicily.

Participants pray to be brought into fuller communion with God through the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear or awe of the Lord.