St. Peter Chanel Day is a school-wide event where 7th through 10th graders enjoy fun activities, such as playing games and face painting, while the 11th graders run and coordinate all the activities as their annual service project.
Seniors participate in Senior Beach on the soccer fields, where they play yard games, socialize, take pictures, and jump on the bounce house. This year, the “Ivy Street Band” of seniors played a few songs to conclude their final St. Peter Chanel Day as they all crowded around the stage to sing along and dance together.
Teachers, staff, and students are all invited to enjoy music performed by students on the stage and to eat amazing food, like tacos and barbecue, in the flag circle.
Marist takes a whole day to celebrate Saint Peter Chanel Day on the feast day of St. Peter Chanel, April 28th. The significance of this day for students is outlined by Junior Graham Beck. “I loved having the opportunity to grow in faith and relationship with friends, and becoming a Eucharistic Minister made this day worth remembering,” Beck said.
No wonder our school dedicates a whole day to Saint Peter Chanel.
Back in 2023, 27 juniors were commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers, and now, in 2026, 48 juniors were commissioned. The increase in participation represents how St. Peter Chanel Day encourages students to take the opportunity to bring themselves and the community closer to God.
Reflecting the missionary spirit of St. Peter Chanel, Fr. Joseph Hindelang shared some important reminders with students at the morning Mass. “The good news isn’t just meant for missionaries, but for all of us who are Christians,” Fr. Hdndelang said. He went on, “We are called to bring God’s love to others and even to bring peace and joy to others.”
St. Peter Chanel Day reflects one of the Marist missions of supporting one another, especially through faith. This mission is seen in many ways on St. Peter Chanel Day, from watching one another perform on the stage to juniors committing to serve the Body of Christ as a display of their love for Marist.
The first St. Peter Chanel Day, a daylong celebration held in honor of the martyred Marist priest, Fr. Peter Chanel, took place on April 28, 1983. Now in its fourth decade, the tradition continues.
St. Peter Chanel Day reflects the best of our school through faith in action, shared happiness, and a commitment to serving others. The strength of the Marist community is why this tradition has been able to stand for so many decades.
More than just a day of celebration, St. Peter Chanel Day continues to unite the Marist community through faith, service, and joy by living out the saying of the year, “We Are Marist.” As the tradition grows and student involvement increases, the spirit of St. Peter Chanel lives on, inspiring students to strengthen both their relationships with God and one another.
