When “Every Day” Becomes the Best Part

In February 2024, The Ignatian Spirituality Center invited St. Therese Catholic Academy principal Malcolm Nelson to join a three-person team, leading parishioners through the nine days of the Novena of Grace at St. Ignatius Chapel on the Seattle University campus.  He had been developing his gifts as a public orator, and it seemed like a good fit. So what was his initial reaction?

“Scared,” said Malcolm. Not only was he busy running a PreK-8 school, his speaking experience was limited and he had never even “been to church that many days in a row,” as he put it.

“At first, there was a daunting feeling of like, oh snap. This is every single day. And we've got all these parts—stand here, turn there, gesture, kneel. I was just trying to absorb it all.”  Malcolm wanted to get the procedural elements right, but he also wanted to provide something worthwhile.

By all accounts, participants responded enthusiastically to Malcolm’s presence and the powerful words he shared throughout the nine days. But Malcolm not only settled in after the first day or two, he also had a personal response to the Novena.

“Every day became the best part,” said Malcolm.  “It was really powerful for my own spiritual exercise—that time to reset each day. And if you hang out with people long enough, you begin to miss them. I couldn't wait to get back to the team each day.”

Malcolm pointed to the seeing the strengthening and growth of the community as his favorite takeaway from the Novena. He looks forward to inviting members of his teaching staff to the Novena next year.