In a school where most students proudly do the sign of the cross before prayer, the quiet diversity of belief at Xavier often goes unnoticed. But for students, faith – or lack thereof – is a central part of how they move throughout their day.
Xavier is a Roman Catholic school, and its traditions are deeply rooted in the rhythm of campus life: Mass, theology classes, morning prayers and service projects. For some students, these practices feel familiar, but for others, they might present moments of reflection, challenge or possibly even discomfort.
Yet across all these differences, many students say the experience has made them understand their own beliefs more clearly, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Senior Baikal Padilla-Garcia, who identifies as an atheist, being surrounded by Catholicism didn’t feel foreign. “My mom always said we are ‘culturally Catholic,’ because we don’t believe in God but still carry the values,” she said.
Growing up in a Spanish-Guatemalan home, Padilla-Garcia was used to Catholic holidays and conversations. But in a school where belief in God often feels assumed, she says her experience has been “a mixed bag.”
“Culturally I feel comfortable, but my beliefs are different, and can be a point of contention,” Padilla-Garcia said.
Across campus, Catholic sophomore Andrea Macasaet finds something very different. For her, Xavier feels like a continuation of the faith-life she began in grade school. “Attending Xavier continues my faith journey,” she said.
Macasaet feels school Masses are especially meaningful. “Mass is the most important part of Xavier’s religious life for me because it gathers everyone to give glory to God and express my faith even more,” she said.
She added that living out her faith happens in small ways, such as helping classmates, apologizing when she’s wrong and staying open to learning. But she also values friendships with people who don’t share her same beliefs.
“Even though we don’t share the same faith, my non-Christian friends accept me for who I am,” she said.
For Jewish sophomore Madilyn Landers, being in the minority has actually deepened her connection to her own traditions. “Being Jewish at Xavier has made me think more deeply about my own religious identity,” she said.
Landers attends Mass respectfully but doesn’t participate in rituals that aren’t part of her faith. “I try to understand why they matter to everyone else,” she said. At the same time, she keeps her Jewish practices active through her synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel (CBI).
She wishes, though, that people understood more than just the “big holidays.” She’s pointing out that many people only seem to recognize Judaism through the most well-known celebrations – like Hanukkah, Passover or Yom Kippur. Judaism isn’t just the major holidays,” she said. “It’s community, learning, family and culture.”
Despite these differences, all three students said that Xavier has pushed them, sometimes gently, sometimes uncomfortably, to define what they believe and why.
Their stories reflect a shared truth: Belief at Xavier isn’t one-size-fits-all. It ranges from deeply devout to quietly questioning, from culturally Catholic to Jewish, and everything in between.
And whether sitting in Mass, theology class or just at lunch with friends, Xavier’s students continue shaping a campus where faith—whatever form it might take—has a place.
