Advent and Christmas 2025 at the Gonzaga Campus: the program with all the initiatives

To the entire Gonzaga Campus community

(students, families, teachers,

non-teaching and volunteer staff,

instructors, families and athletes of the Sports Association,

alumni, Ignatian associations and groups)

Subject: Advent and Christmas 2025 at the Gonzaga Campus: the program with all the initiatives

Advent is about to begin, a time of waiting, of silence and of light that grows slowly. A time that invites us to stop, to look deeper, to prepare ourselves to welcome the One who comes to bring hope to the wounded places in history.

A time that reaches us while the world seems lost in conflicts, divisions, uncertainties.

But it is precisely in this night that the light becomes more necessary. It is precisely now that we want to continue to guard and sustain hope.

The hope that we see shining in the eyes of children, to which we must always give the right to be and which we must not betray. The hope that makes its way into the dreams of young people, who seek new paths, who choose dialogue instead of violence, who still believe in good, even when evil makes more noise.

In particular, in these weeks, we have turned our gaze to the Holy Land. During the meeting that we experienced as a school community on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, we heard strong and touching words. We were told that one of the most significant signs that we can put in this time is not to leave alone the children and young people who are growing up and studying in those wounded lands: to continue to believe in them, to support them, to say with concrete gestures that we feel close to them, that we accompany them, that we do not forget them.

We want to walk alongside them with the language we know: that of education, care, shared humanity.

This is our mission. We believe in education as a path to peace.

We believe in school as a place where a better world is built day after day, where justice, coexistence, freedom and dignity are learned.

For this reason, as an educational community, in this Advent we want to do our part, to the extent that is possible for us. A gesture, a solidarity campaign, a message, a network of closeness and prayer: what matters is not to remain indifferent, not to look away.

Throughout the Advent and Christmas season, an exhibition entitled "HeART of Gaza" will be set up. Drawings by children living in Gaza will be displayed within the Campus spaces to document their experiences and give voice to their experiences. The project, promoted by Palestinian activist Mohammed Timraz, has been hosted in several Italian and international cities. The exhibition aims to highlight the drama of war as seen through the eyes of innocent children, promoting reflection on the suffering of populations involved in conflicts.

These children have drawn their home; in fact: «One of the first things children draw is the house…. It is an image on which they project how they feel. The house is the place where they live and therefore they identify it with life itself. The house is the space of relationships and therefore it itself becomes the symbol of the relationships they experience within the house.»

In the drawings of these children, however, the house is often wounded, destroyed, marked by war. These are images that touch the heart and that question us about the type of "house" – of world, of relationships, of community – that we adults are building. Even as adults we could continue to draw our house, thinking of it as an image of our life: is it a house with a smoking chimney, a sign that there is life inside? Or is it a house where doors and windows have no openings or handles, as if to say that we do not want foreign presences within our borders?

This exhibition is our sign of Advent.

We don't want to leave them alone. We want to walk with them, believe in the power of education, in the power of solidarity, in the prophecy of peace.

We continue to believe, stubbornly, in the possibility of building a more human world, which is why we want to support the hope that, despite everything, continues to live in their eyes and in their drawings.

In the coming days, a beautiful initiative will also start: a large chain of prayer for peace that will involve schools from all over the world, of different cultures and religions. The initiative, promoted by FIDAE, will see us as active protagonists of a simple but significant gesture, so that – as Christmas teaches us – justice and peace may come.

In this Advent season, we would like the children – ours and those of Gaza – to help us rediscover the meaning of Christmas. The plays, the shows, the concert, the solidarity dinner, the collections, the moments of prayer and reflection will not only be "appointments" in the calendar, but opportunities to cherish hope and educate ourselves to peace. The children will help us to experience the joy of Christmas; it is always from them that, especially at Christmas, we can let ourselves be surprised and learn a new way of living in the world in love and peace.

We are happy to present to you, as the campus management together with the Jesuit community and the pastoral team, the program of the various initiatives, which will then be further enriched with further practical information through other communications.

EVENTS AND SOLIDARITY INITIATIVES

As an Ignatian school, our solidarity is often oriented towards trying to give the little ones the opportunity to have quality educational paths. For this reason, the fundraising from the concert and the solidarity dinner, carried out through the sale of tickets, will partly flow into the "Education Fund" and partly be used to support the future of Palestinian children and young people, also giving life to twinning between our school and some schools in those territories. In January we will try to host a group of about fifteen Palestinian children. We ask from now on to give availability to welcome them. Please write to me direttore@gonzagapalermo.it

Christmas Concert (open to the entire community)

Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 PM – Church of the Gesù at Casa Professa

As every year, on Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 PM, at the Church of the Gesù at Casa Professa, the entire Campus community (students, families, teachers, alumni, friends and relatives) is invited to participate in the Christmas Concert.

This year, through the melodies and reflections of our students, we would like to place emphasis on "peace" so as not to forget all the wars, even those less known, that afflict humanity and continue to carry the Palestinian people in our hearts.

From December 1st it will be possible to purchase the concert ticket at the symbolic cost of €10:

· from Monday to Friday, at the central reception or in the communication office;

· at the entrance of the Church of Casa Professa, on the same evening of the concert.

Admission is free for our students and teaching and non-teaching staff.

The appointment for the students involved in the choir is scheduled for 6:00 PM, directly at Casa Professa, wearing the uniform. Further instructions will be provided by the music teachers.

Christmas Solidarity Dinner (open to the entire community)

Thursday, December 18, 8:00 PM – Campus canteen

On Thursday, December 18, at 8:00 PM, we will all meet for the Christmas Solidarity Dinner.

For the organization of the dinner, all class representatives are invited to participate in the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, at 6:30 PM, in the Pandolfo Room (3rd floor of the Italian school building).

From Monday, December 1st it will be possible to purchase the ticket by contacting the reception and give your contribution for the purchase and/or preparation of what is needed for the dinner.

During the dinner it will be possible to visit the HeART of Gaza exhibition.

MEETINGS AND SPIRITUAL RETREATS

The preparation for Christmas invites us to rediscover times of reflection and prayer. Specific moments have been designed for the various components of the educating community and the entire Ignatian Family.

In particular:

Lectio Divina to prepare for Christmas

For the whole community

On Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 December, from 7:00 PM, Fr. Roberto del Riccio SJ, superior of the Jesuit community, will lead the Lectio Divina in the San Giuseppe chapel.

Theme: "The fragility of love. The mystery of Christmas".

Throughout the school and in all the complexes there will be moments of preparation for the mystery of Christmas (the offering of the flower to the Immaculate Conception which will take place in the San Giuseppe chapel:

4 and 5 December: Kindergarten;

from 1 to 3 December: Primary School;

and, furthermore, moments of confession and prayer.

Spiritual exercises for teachers

Also for teachers who wish to do so, an important opportunity is offered.

The Spiritual Exercises for teachers want to help us experience the Advent season not as a race to "do many things", but as a time to stop and become aware of what God does for us.

We propose, for the Advent season (from 2 to 16 December), a path that includes:

a moment of common prayer and reflection;

a personal meeting with the spiritual guide;

a daily time of personal prayer.

For information: Fr. Claudiu Miklos – miklos.claudiujani@gonzagapalermo.it

Retreats of the Ignatian family groups

The Ignatian family groups also propose that we stop and reflect:

Retreat group "Families on the move"

November 23 – San Giuseppe chapel of the Gonzaga Campus.

Retreat for the group of exercisers in the Spiritual Exercises in ordinary life (EVO)

November 30 – classrooms of the Gonzaga Campus.

Retreat of the prayer group "Parents who pray"

December 7 – San Giuseppe chapel of the Gonzaga Campus.

Christmas Masses for students and teachers

In the last week of school before the holidays we will also have the opportunity to celebrate with all the schools and complexes of the celebration times. In particular:

Monday, December 15, 11:00 AM – San Giuseppe chapel

IV and V Primary – Grade 5–6 Primary School

Tuesday, December 16, 10:00 AM – San Giuseppe chapel

I, II, III Middle – M1, M2, M3 Middle School

Wednesday, December 17, 08:00 AM – San Giuseppe chapel

Two-year high schools – M4–M5

Thursday, December 18, 08:00 AM – San Giuseppe chapel

Three-year high schools – D1–D2

PLAYS – SHOW – CHRISTMAS SHOWS

Below are the dates of the Christmas shows and shows, a truly beautiful moment to look at Christmas and the world through the eyes of children. More logistical information will be communicated by the educational coordinators of each sector.

Kindergarten – Christmas Plays

Friday, December 12

· 10:00–11:00 AM, in class: A Primavera (Farfalline)

Monday, December 15

· 09:00–10:00 AM, in auditorium: 3 A (Coccinelle)

· 10:15–11:15 AM, in auditorium: 3 B (Leoncini)

Thursday, December 18

· 09:15–10:15 AM, in auditorium: 1 A (Passerotti) and 1 B (Riccetti)

· 10:30–11:30 AM, in auditorium: 2 A (Orsetti) and 2 B (Coniglietti)

Friday, December 19

· 10:30 AM: party in class (nursery section)

Pre-School – Christmas Show

Wednesday, December 10 – auditorium

· 09:30: Pre-Kindergarten

· 10:00: Kindergarten

· 10:30: Transition

Primary – Christmas Show

First and second grades – Friday, December 19, in the auditorium

· 09:30–10:30 AM: 1 A and 2 B

· 11:00–12:00 AM: 1 B and 2 A

Primary School – Christmas Show

Thursday, December 11

· 09:30: G1

· 10:00: G2

· 10:30: G3

Wednesday, December 17

· 09:30: G4

· 10:00: G5

· 10:30: G6

High Schools

Show in Latin "Consistam et consulam tibi"

· Friday, December 19, 09:00 AM, San Giuseppe chapel – for high school students.

· Friday, December 19, 12:30 PM, San Giuseppe chapel – for teaching and non-teaching staff.

EARLY EXIT ON 12/19 AND SUSPENSION OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Friday, December 19, 2025 – Early exits

And we come to the last day of school! As foreseen by our school calendar, the activities of the Italian School and the International School Palermo will be suspended from December 22, 2025 to January 6, 2026.

Activities will resume regularly for everyone on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Friday, December 19, the last day of educational activities before the Christmas holidays, the students' exit will be brought forward as reported below:

· Nursery and Kindergarten: 12:30 PM

· Primary: 12:00 PM

· Middle: 12:30 PM

· High Schools: 11:40 AM

· Pre-School: 12:30 PM

· Primary School: 12:30 PM

· Middle (M1–M2–M3): 11:40 AM

· High School (M4–M5–D1–D2): 11:40 AM

On Friday, December 19, lunch will only be guaranteed for children in Nursery, Kindergarten and Pre-School.

EXCHANGE OF GREETINGS WITH ALL STAFF

Friday, December 19, 2025 – San Giuseppe chapel and Campus canteen

On Friday, December 19, at 12:30 PM, all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Campus (School – International School – Sports Association) will meet in the San Giuseppe chapel to experience a time of spiritual reflection in preparation for Christmas.

At 1:00 PM all the staff will move to the canteen to share the usual Christmas lunch and the exchange of greetings.

We invite everyone to organize themselves to be present and punctual.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN THE SAN GIUSEPPE CHAPEL

During Advent, the Masses in the San Giuseppe chapel will continue at the usual time of 11:00 AM. In this important time you are all invited to participate. In particular, it is nice to be together in the Christmas celebrations.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve

11:00 PM – Christmas Vigil

Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day

11:00 AM – S. Mass

Sunday, December 28, 2025 – S. Family

11:00 AM – S. Mass

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – Thanksgiving Mass with Te Deum

6:30 PM – S. Mass

Thursday, January 01, 2026 – Mary Mother of God

11:00 AM – S. Mass

Tuesday, January 06, 2026 – Epiphany

11:00 AM – S. Mass

Note: from Monday 22 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 the weekday S. Masses at 07:15 will be suspended. They will resume from Wednesday 7 January 2026.

As you can see, there are many opportunities that we offer ourselves in this time to prepare our hearts to receive the gift of Christmas: each one chooses those that he/she considers most useful for his/her own path as student, parent, teacher, non-teacher, volunteer, instructor or animator.

We look forward to seeing you and, on behalf of the entire Board of Directors and the community of Jesuit Fathers,

we wish you a good start to Advent and a journey of hope and peace.

A warm greeting

P. Vitangelo Carlo Maria Denora SJ

General Director Gonzaga Campus