Claim the Name
Ring Mass
Adam Menicucci
Salesianum School 2026
Adam Menicucci
Student receiving class ring from Fr. Chris Beretta, OSFS.
Today, we receive symbols of Salesianum’s trust in us through our class rings. One simple expectation is asked of us today and in the future: to claim the name of Salesianum. Intentionally and publicly, we must live what it means to be a Salesian gentleman. But what does that really mean? How do we live it, and not just wear it on our finger?
For the parents, my name is Adam Menicucci, and it’s a pleasure to be with you here today at Ring Mass. But to answer today’s questions, we turn to today’s readings. Amos condemns those who disregard the poor and cheat them for their own benefit. St. Paul calls us to live “a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.” Finally, Jesus teaches, “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.” These texts all indicate that leadership is not about titles or status—it is earned through accountability, integrity, and care for others. The ring we begin to wear today is not the end; it is not a finish line. Instead, it is a symbol of the values these readings demand we live by. It is a symbol of trust, responsibility, and acting honorably even when no one is watching. It is a symbol of our newfound leadership as the oldest Salesian gentleman in the building.
Here at Salesianum, we are blessed to have examples to guide us. St. Francis de Sales teaches patience, beginning with patience for ourselves. Patience is discipline—the discipline of learning from failure, correcting our course, and practicing the virtues that shape our character. St. Jane de Chantal reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on God, and to be guided by prayerful goodness and humility. Inspired by these examples, we can translate these lessons into three measurable commitments for the Class of 2026.
First: protect human dignity. When someone is excluded, laughed at, or treated unfairly, do not ignore it. Recognize the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at someone. Correct harmful words, invite others into your circle, and thank those who serve. To claim the name of Salesianum is to use your voice for others, not just yourself. In practice, this means noticing the small injustices and acting—not because it is easy, but because it is right.
Second: be faithful in the small things. Show up. Keep your promises. Tuck in your shirt, not because Mr. Menicucci flips out, but because you respect your own appearance. Own your mistakes, repair harm, and forgive harm done to you. Trust grows in small matters before it extends to larger responsibilities. Every small act of honesty, reliability, and courtesy lays the foundation for true leadership.
Third: ground this leadership in prayerful reflection. Leadership without reflection easily devolves into ego. Use prayer as a compass—to examine, listen, and reset when you drift from the path. As St. Francis de Sales reminds us, self-correction is not weakness—it is discipline. Most importantly, reflection allows us to recognize not just our failures, but also the opportunities to act with courage and integrity each day.
However, even with these commitments, we will sometimes fail. We will stumble. We will overlook opportunities to protect dignity. We will skip reflection. But failure is not shame; it is an invitation to grow. What makes a difference is our response—how we recommit to the standards the ring represents and the name we claim. The ring itself is a constant reminder: it is not just a symbol of our years at Salesianum, but a challenge for the present and the future. Each glance at it can spark a decision—to stand for what is right, to speak when silence is easier, and to act with honor even when no one else is watching.
We receive our rings in September, but before we know it, it’ll be May. The months in between are the proving ground. Mentoring underclassmen, repairing trust, forming lasting habits—this is the work that will demonstrate what claiming the name truly looks like. And even after May, the proving ground continues. Claiming the name carries into college, careers, and the communities in which we serve. Let the ring remind us to choose integrity over convenience and service over show.
So today, as you accept your ring, claim the name—and live it. Protect the vulnerable. Be trustworthy in small things. Ground your decisions in purposeful reflection and humility. Use the lessons of Amos, St. Paul, and Jesus to guide you. Leave Salesianum—and the world we will soon enter—better than we found it.
Live Jesus.