“What Our 8th Graders Believe”

The Diocese of Fall River has a long held tradition of bringing all 8th graders from across the Diocese to the Cathedral in May to celebrate Mass together. Some key facts about this tradition:

• The first 8th grade Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral on May 16, 2006.  There were two that did not occur because of the pandemic.
• The impetus for the 8th grade Mass was that local Diocesan history was included as part of the 8th grade religion curriculum.
• The Bishop’s Mass with all Diocesan eighth grade classes is now viewed as a rite of passage for students graduating from Catholic middle school and entering high school and an opportunity for Bishop to congratulate these students.
• The school staff and/or pastors provide a self-guided tour of the Cathedral before Mass begins at 12 noon.
• There is also a long held tradition of an impromptu choir formed by students.
• Students come from Catholic schools located in Attleboro to Taunton to Cape Cod.

At the 2026 annual 8th grade Mass, we interviewed 8th graders from each Catholic elementary schools and asked these questions:

“What does your Catholic education mean to you?”

“What is the best thing you have experienced from your Catholic education?”

The videos below are a compilation of their responses and what they will take from their Catholic school experience as they enter high school.