Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Blessing and Official Opening of New Buildings at Mount Saint Benedict College
14 November 2025
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
What a joy it is to be here today on this beautiful mountain, at a place so full of history, hope, and promise. Today we gather not merely to open new buildings, but to celebrate a living vision, a vision of education, of faith, and of the formation of young women who will shine their light for the world to see.
In the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus says: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
I invite you to notice the connection between the “hill” in the Gospel and this “mountain” on which we stand, Mount Saint Benedict. Just as a town on a hill cannot be hidden, this College is a place where the light of Christ is nurtured, cultivated, and allowed to shine brightly. And today, with the blessing and opening of these new buildings, we proclaim our confidence that the light which begins here will not remain hidden but will reach far beyond the school gates.
Since 1966, Mount Saint Benedict College has been a place where young women are empowered to grow in knowledge, skills, and faith. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan, following the Benedictine tradition of Archbishop John Bede Polding, have always understood that education is more than the transfer of information. It is about formation, forming minds, hearts, and spirits to serve, to love, and to lead. From offering shelter and comfort to women in need, to educating children and young adults, the Sisters have shown that the light of Christ is practical as well as profound.
This new phase of the College, symbolized by these buildings, is a powerful testament to the value and dignity of every young woman here. Each classroom, each space, each corridor is not simply brick and mortar. They exist for the flourishing of your minds, the development of your talents, and the strengthening of your faith. They are places where your light can grow, where your gifts can be recognized, and where your courage to shine can be encouraged and affirmed.
Jesus tells us to let our light shine, not to hide it, not to be timid or self-effacing, but to let it illuminate the world around us. Each of you is gifted with unique talents, abilities, and a special charism that has been nurtured here at Mount Saint Benedict. Whether in academics, sports, the arts, service, or friendship, your light has the power to transform. And as you grow older, your light will not remain confined to the mountain of this College. It will shine in your homes, in your workplaces, in your communities, and indeed, in the wider world.
Ultimately, the light you carry is not your own. It is the Light of Christ, given to you so that you may become disciples of Jesus, bearing witness as his ambassadors. When your faith, your intellect, your good deeds, your kindness, your courage, and your commitment to justice shine, others will see not only you, but they will glimpse the glory of God.
As we bless these buildings today, let us remember that they are more than structures. They are a sacred trust, entrusted to you, the young women of Mount Saint Benedict College, to become beacons of hope, compassion, and faith. Just as the Sisters of the Good Samaritan extended a hand to those in need, so too are you called to extend your light and your love to a world that longs for both.
May these new buildings inspire you to grow in every dimension: intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually. May you walk these halls with courage, curiosity, and a firm conviction that you are created in the image and likeness of God, with gifts meant to be shared, not hidden. And may you always remember that your education here is a preparation not only for your future career, but for a lifetime of shining Christ’s light in every place that God calls you.
Let us pray that the blessings of God may rest upon these buildings, upon this College, and upon every student who passes through its doors.
May the Light of Christ shine in each of you, and through you, may Jesus Christ enlighten the world. Amen.