by Scott King ’13
Saint Ignatius High School is filled with traditions passed on through the years. From the freshmen walk to the Mass of the Holy Spirit to Senior Smoke Day and everything in between, tradition is all around us. One particular tradition, although subtle, has been passed on year in and year out. After all, it’s not every day you can fist-bump Jesus’s dad.
In the entrance of our very own Schott Library, students such as Connor McCoy ’13, can be seen giving the statue of Joseph and Jesus the extremely chill fist-bump. In fact, it’s become almost as common as Mr. Vilinsky wearing a sweater. In this statue, Joseph stands with a fist just asking for the universally known fist-bump. This custom has been passed down not orally, but by example. Upperclassmen whom have picked it up from their older peers continue the practice today in sight of the observant freshmen.
How this ritual has come about still remains a mystery but one thing is certain, if Jesus is our bro, then Joseph is our cool uncle. That statement may sound too much like “lax” lingo but the truth can’t be denied: the saints are people who we, as Catholics, can relate to. When I asked why he does this McCoy explained: “I give him the fist-bump because we’re chill. He’s always there for me, so we’re like bros and that’s what bros do. It’s like I’m giving the real Jesus a handshake.” Or a fist-bump, as it were. And, it’s his dad…or step-dad, actually.
So the next time you walk into the library, don’t just brush past Jesus and Joseph as if they weren’t there. Continue this subtle tradition of respect. After all, he’s the one offering the fist-bump.
