Posted February 25, 2021

The Drexel Hill, Delaware County archdiocesan high school greeted Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez for his pastoral visit Feb. 24 including celebration of the Mass and a tour of the school with its proud students, faculty and staff. Read all about the inspiring visit here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Pérez, center, begins a tour of classrooms at Msgr. Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School. Father Joseph Zaleski, school minister, is at left.

  • Before Mass Archbishop Pérez poses with the family of the late Augustinian Father Augustine “Gus” Esposito, including his sister Theresa Scanlan (left of the archbishop), who holds the paten and chalice of her brother to be donated to the school.

  • The chalice and paten of the late Father Augustine “Gus” Esposito, a former president of Msgr. Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School who died in January 2021, was donated to the school and blessed by Archbishop Nelson Pérez during his visit Feb. 24. (Sarah Webb)

  • After Mass during his visit Feb. 24 to Msgr. Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School, Archbishop Nelson Pérez poses for a photo with altar servers and student leaders. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez preaches the homily during Mass.

  • Archbishop Pérez holds the crozier, or shepherd’s staff, of Archbishop Edmond F. Prendergast, second archbishop of Philadelphia, who died in 1918. His use of the crozier on his visit to his predecessor’s namesake school is believed to be the first time it has been used outside the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

  • A student leads the procession at the end Mass carrying a cross created this week by school facilities director Tom Light, using recycled materials from the former chapel of Archbishop Prendergast High School.

  • Father Joseph Zaleski and Archbishop Pérez pose by the stage cross and the processional cross in the school auditorium.

  • Sisters of the late Father Gus Esposito, O.S.A., carry the chalice and paten of their brother to the altar to be blessed by Archbishop Pérez.

  • Cantors plus an 11-member choir and five-member praise band lead the Bonner-Prendie congregation in song during the Mass.

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez distributes holy Communion to a student.

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez speaks with students on his pastoral visit Feb. 24 at Msgr. Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School, Drexel Hill.

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez explains his episcopal ring as he speaks with students.