Saint Jude students celebrate seder meal

The Saint Jude fifth- and sixth-grade classes, led by Sister Chiara Marie Stempfle and Mrs. Rose Martin, shared a traditional seder meal during Holy Week in the school cafeteria. Students read from traditional prayers, recalling why Passover is celebrated and its deep tradition among the Jewish people. Traditional symbols were presented and discussed from the candles used to remind all of God’s light, to the washing of one’s hands symbolizing the cleansing of our hearts from sin, to the blessing of the “fruit of the vine” (in this case grape juice). Customary seder meal foods were served; greens to symbolize new life and bread symbolizing the bread eaten by the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt among others. The students then discussed how Passover came to be, why an extra cup is placed on the table and what the other foods stood for.