Xavier College Preparatory is home to many traditions and cultures. Although Christmas is the most widely-celebrated religious holiday, Xavier recognizes the varying religious backgrounds of its students.
Due to family traditions, three senior students, Maya Superfon, Karina Zaveri and Joselyn Rodriguez, celebrate the holiday season differently.
Zaveri recently celebrated Diwali, an Indian holiday that began on October 28. Although its peak is the 31st, Diwali lasts five days, ending on November 1.
Diwali is commonly recognized as a “Hindu festival of lights,” which signifies light over darkness or good over evil. To some Hindus, it is a time to worship the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. To others, they celebrate the killing of the Asura, a demon who imprisoned women.
During Diwali, in India people wear their nicest attire, clean their houses and leave candles outside their homes. Families engage in prayers and ceremonies for Lakshmi.
One of Zaveri’s favorite Diwali traditions involves dressing up and performing a dance with her friends and family.
“There are over 400 of us and over 20 dances, and we have a whole performance to celebrate,” Zaveri said.
Superfon celebrates Hanukkah with her family each year. Hanukkah occurs yearly on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. It lasts eight nights and usually falls between the end of November, December and early January.
Hanukkah originated in Jerusalem and means “dedication” in Hebrew. The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Families come together to light the Menorah (“a lamp” with seven branches, one for each day of creation), play Dreidel (a popular game), sing songs, recite scripture, give money and gifts and eat fried foods.
“I love gathering around the Menorah and lighting it every night. Just being able to get my family in one place and make that a priority is special,” Superfon said.
Rodriguez, eucharistic minister, XYV club president and Kairos leader and rector, celebrates Christmas with her family, who are very involved in their faith. They attend Mass every Sunday and strive to be involved within their community.
“Christmas is a big deal. My whole family gets together after not seeing each other for months and even years, and we mostly celebrate on the 24th,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez’s family celebrates primarily on December 24, focusing on the Christmas vigil and hours leading up to the birth of Jesus.
“We bring in the family, eat together, and when the clock strikes 12, we bring out the baby Jesus, sing happy birthday, hug and kiss him on his forehead, and open the gift we got for him, followed by opening our gifts,” said Rodriguez.
The family will then attend Mass on December 25 to wrap up the holy season in remembrance of Christ’s birth.
This holiday season Xavier families will celebrate their respective faiths in many different ways.
