Cunae Rerum Magnarum Parvae
Twenty years ago Fr. Tom Curran, then a member of the Oblates and now a member of the Jesuits, and an enthusiastic young man named Brendan Kennealey came into the Provincial’s office to pitch an idea involving the establishment of a tuition-free middle school for boys in Wilmington as part of our “giving back” to the Wilmington community in gratitude of the 100th anniversary of Salesianum School. From small beginnings, Nativity was born and began the journey that has brought us here twenty years later.
The Nativity school model was created by the Jesuits in the 1970s. The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales used the model to create Nativity in the image of our patron, St. Francis de Sales. Through the grace of God and the generosity of so many men and women, Nativity has grown and has become a beacon of hope for young boys who today have grown into Salesian Gentlemen in every sense of the phrase.
So often we can feel helpless in the face of such daunting challenges as educating young boys and girls who are challenged by poverty and all it brings with it to have the tools not only to provide the opportunity for everyone to enjoy a productive and grace-filled life for themselves but to share their gifts and talents with their community and their family. The old Chinese proverb that reminds us that every journey begins with the first step encourages us to live in hope and not be deterred by the darkness around us. Nativity has been that light in our small part of the world that has made a lasting difference in our students, graduates, and our community.
Salesianum, who since the very beginning, has provided tuition assistance for Nativity graduates who wish to attend Sallies. It has been a great investment for Salesianum. Today, Salesianum can boast of Nativity graduates who experienced life at Sallies as successful men who make a difference in our world today. Perhaps the greatest example of the success Nativity has enjoyed is the presence on the board of trustees of one of our Nativity grads who is a lawyer serving the needs of his clients.
Fr. Joseph Morrissey, OSFS
Former Board Chair Nativity Prep & Former Provincial
Join Nativity Preparatory School of Wilmington on March 9, 2024, at The Waterfall in Wilmington to celebrate their 20th Anniversary Gala!. It’s a night that promises to be unforgettable, filled with fun, friends, food, and music.
