WARWICK — When Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Tobin signed a decree establishing the Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope as a Catholic, independent school in late 2022, it was just a vision on paper. When it opened in the Fall of 2023, it had just 18 students. But on Friday, June 12, the school proved how far it has come, celebrating its historic first commencement ceremony for its eight graduating seniors amid an overall student body that has already more than doubled to 40 students.
Chesterton Academy has proved itself to be a place where education and faith intersect seamlessly. At no other point was this more on display than in the school’s first graduation. At the start of the graduation Mass, students processed in to school’s chapel, which is located in the former church building of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, to the sounds of Catholic hymns. The air filled with incense from two sets of thuribles. Behind the students were a group of clergy, including among them Bishop Tobin, who, even in retirement, regularly visits and celebrates Mass at the school.
In his homily, Bishop Tobin spoke of how the students’ time at Chesterton Academy has prepared them to orient themselves in the world in a way that aligns with the Gospel.
“Graduation is an intersection of the past and the future,” Bishop Tobin said. “As you think about your past, I hope you’re filled with gratitude, that you’re mindful of all the gifts that God has given you that have brought you to this moment.”
Bishop Tobin continued by stating that the spiritual and material gifts that God has bestowed onto the graduates must be used to help them face the challenges of the future with a sense of trust in God. “There’s your future: It will be a combination of good and bad; it will be, in the end, as good or bad as you choose to make it; and God will be with you in your journey.”
In his acceptance speech for the Cultura Vitae award (given by Chesterton Academies to students who are seen as exemplifying the philosophy of the school to a particular degree), Daniel Dussault noted that learning is a lifelong process that leads to a deeper knowledge of the truth and deeper union with God.
“You’re never going to stop learning. And that, education, should never stop, it never has to, especially for someone with faith. This truth-seeking path of education is the one everyone alive walks, well or poorly, but they still walk it,” Dussault said.
“Catholics are called to this grace. As Pope Benedict XVI once said, ‘The world offers you comfort, but you are not made for comfort. You are made for greatness.’ What does greatness look like? The greatest thing is to be with God, and this means, here and now, to be the outstanding person in the crowd, even when others settle for comfort.”
Graduate Natalia Montis said, “I’m very happy that I finally made it to graduation. It’s a very beautiful thing. I think I’m going to be a little sad from all the people I won’t be able to see as much as I usually can.”
When asked about the biggest way the school has contributed to her academic and spiritual development, Montis noted that her time at Chesterton Academy has simultaneously helped to improve her critical thinking skills as well as instill in her a sense of hope.
“They’ve made me learn to think a lot more than I would. It helped me see the world in a different way than most people.”
Graduate Sofia Cordeiro said, “I have been at this school for the past three years now, and it doesn’t feel like it’s been three years. One thing that definitely makes this school different is how the teachers don’t just teach math or just science. I’ve been to many schools before this, and I’ve never had a teacher that ever has helped me both learn academically and in my faith as the teachers in this school do.”
Michael Casey, co-founder and school president, noted that the Chesterton’s desire to balance spiritual formation and academic rigor has created well-rounded students. “I think they’re more armed for whatever hits them when they leave here,” Casey said. Going on to note that the primary benefit of the school is that it allows students to conceptualize their academic and professional growth within a broader or more holistic framework.
“If you really want your high school student to grow in virtue, grow in purpose in life — no matter if they want to go to college or if they want to go into a trade — a Chesterton education really sets that foundation for a life of virtue, a life of purpose, a life of service, and get them to heaven. If your goal as a parent is to get your children into heaven, I can’t think of a better place than daily Mass with over seventy priests who have come here over the last three years.”
