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Students, faculty and neighbors gathered in the lower quad Tuesday night for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the Advent season.

Graduate student Sarah Deeney attended the event for her first time.

“I thought it was really nice,” Deeney said. “It is a great way to get the students to prepare their hearts for Advent, and it is just a fun ceremony to light up the campus.”

Sophomore Julia Carroll attended last year’s ceremony.

“It is just a nice way to get everyone together for a special event, (and) also to hear the prayers and the music,” Carroll said.

Undergraduate Student Government Vice President Mike Orth and others spoke at the event and recited prayers. Some students joined choir members in singing carols.

“I think for students specifically, it marks the holiday season,” Orth said. “You don’t necessarily have to be Catholic or even Christian in general to enjoy this event.”

Patrick Roche can be reached at roch6667@stthomas.edu.