By James Harwell
If you were in the Quad after 4 P.M. on Monday, then you probably saw a lot of fun colors on the concrete and grass. It’s because Campus Ministry held a Holi Color Throw event.
Holi is a Hindu festival that is also known as the Festival of Colors. Freshman Divya Joseph said: “It’s a celebration of colors. It celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest season. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the end of winter.”
Said Father John Pozhathuparambil, Bellarmine’s campus minister: “It’s a celebration of a victory of good over evil. It brings out the good in people. It’s meant for people to throw colors at each other, spread love, and to make new friends.”
A small crowd of students and faculty gathered with bags of colored powder ready to be thrown. After a countdown, everyone threw colors in the air cheering and smiling behind their masks. A dusty cloud of multiple colors exploded as everyone threw the powder, resembling a spring version of a snowball fight.
“This is my third Holi throw,” senior Jordan Stacy said. “It’s one of my favorite events that Campus Ministry does.”
Chandeni Patel, an accelerated nursing student, said: “I was shocked to see the email about it and said, ‘Wow, this is something Indian!’ I got so excited about it that I called my parents about it and they were happy about it.”
Father John said Campus Ministry is open to all faiths. “We try to celebrate each other’s festivals, so everyone feels included,” he said.
The fun and laughs everyone enjoyed while throwing the colored powder made an impact on students of South Asian descent who celebrate Holi.
“I’m glad the school had this event,” Patel said. “It shows that the school is very diverse and that definitely something that you want.”
Said Father John Pozhathuparambil, Bellarmine’s campus minister: “It’s a celebration of a victory of good over evil. It brings out the good in people. It’s meant for people to throw colors at each other, spread love, and to make new friends.”
A small crowd of students and faculty gathered with bags of colored powder ready to be thrown. After a countdown, everyone threw colors in the air cheering and smiling behind their masks. A dusty cloud of multiple colors exploded as everyone threw the powder, resembling a spring version of a snowball fight.
“This is my third Holi throw,” senior Jordan Stacy said. “It’s one of my favorite events that Campus Ministry does.”
Chandeni Patel, an accelerated nursing student, said: “I was shocked to see the email about it and said, ‘Wow, this is something Indian!’ I got so excited about it that I called my parents about it and they were happy about it.”
Father John said Campus Ministry is open to all faiths. “We try to celebrate each other’s festivals, so everyone feels included,” he said.
The fun and laughs everyone enjoyed while throwing the colored powder made an impact on students of South Asian descent who celebrate Holi.
“I’m glad the school had this event,” Patel said. “It shows that the school is very diverse and that definitely something that you want.”