On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the St. Louis de Montfort Academy celebrated its thirty-year anniversary and inaugurated a new school building. Guests, friends, alumni, parents and children came from all over the country for the joyous occasion at the campus in Herndon, Pennsylvania.
The Academy welcomed a number of honored guests. Cardinal Raymond Burke, who gave the keynote luncheon address, offered Mass and blessed the new premises. Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Braganza came from Brazil for the event. Thus, both spiritual and temporal spheres were harmoniously and well represented.
A New Building for a New Era of Expansion
The Most Rev. William J. Walterscheid, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and long-time friend of the Academy, opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He expressed how edified he has always been by the faculty and student body, observing: “I have found great inspiration for my own spiritual life.”
Wendy Dombroskie from the office of State Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver presented a citation to the Academy from the Pennsylvania State Senate in recognition of the Academy’s 30th anniversary.
The ribbon-cutting was unique with its use of a sword rather than a pair of scissors. Cardinal Burke blessed the sword, a replica of Emperor Charlemagne’s, which Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Braganza used to cut the ribbon as the onlookers burst into applause.
Prince Bertrand’s words called to mind the crusader-mission of the academy:
“This is not merely the expansion of a school. It is the expansion of a movement to form young men into modern-day crusaders—crusaders who are eager to defend Holy Mother Church at all costs.”
The 10,000-square-foot school building features a more spacious chapel, a large refectory and additional dormitory space.
Cardinal Burke celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the new chapel, which concluded with a moving recessional: a triumphal rendition of the Papal Anthem O Rome Eternal accompanied by organ and trumpets.
As the Cardinal processed out of the chapel in his white lace and scarlet vestments, everyone was struck by the solemnity and grandeur of Holy Mother Church.
A Keynote Address to Remember
During lunch, Cardinal Burke delivered a moving keynote address.
“Stone and mortar now testify what grace over many years has been steadfastly accomplishing in souls here. Yours is a most necessary apostolate and one of the most beautiful forms of collaboration between the laity and hierarchy of the Church.”
His Eminence entrusted the Academy’s future to Our Lady: “May she watch over every classroom, every corridor, every heart formed here. May she bless your apostolate abundantly for the good of America, for the good of Holy Church and for the coming of that Reign of Mary foretold by Saint Louis de Montfort and announced at Fatima.”
“Let us move forward with confidence,” Cardinal Burke exhorted. “The times are challenging, but grace is powerful to help us meet every challenge. If you remain faithful to Christ through Mary, if your hearts, one with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, rest ever more firmly, ever more fully in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the St. Louis de Montfort Academy will continue to be a beacon of light in an age beset with darkness.”
He finished the speech with the battle cry: “Viva Cristo Rey!” The audience responded with a standing ovation and an enthusiastic reply: “Viva!”
St. Louis De Montfort Academy: Growing Amidst the Storms
It was a joyful day. Not even the persistent rain could dampen the enthusiasm seen on the faces of nearly 300 people who gathered to celebrate the historic milestones. Many saw the inclement weather as symbolic of the trials and storms that the Academy has confronted since its beginning—and many more yet to come.
Prince Bertrand expressed his enthusiasm: “I am grateful that Our Lady has watched over and guided this remarkable Academy for the last 30 years.”
“We Want God”
The full day ended with a procession up the hill to the Lourdes Grotto praying the Rosary, interspersed with hymns to Our Lady. It was raining, but all prayed with resolution and devotion. The rosary concluded with a rousing singing of the hymn We Want God which is often sung at the Academy and the Call to Chivalry summer camps.
One verse in the hymn stood out in particular. It called to mind the mission of the Academy students, past and present, to fight for the rights of God and Holy Mother Church:
We want God, ready we go,
His holy law to defend;
Always we are here to serve Him,
We want God until we die!
Click here to listen to We Want God.
First published on TFP.org.
Photo Credit: American TFP Photo Archive