Pius X canceled the yearly Epiphany Mass due to COVID concerns.

“The health department issued a new statement concerning coronavirus,” principal Terry Kathol said. “We were not aware of it until after the decision was made, part of it was to avoid large crowds which could not be done with the Mass.”

The Epiphany Mass is an annual Mass remembering the magi of Jesus’s time.

Pius X turns it into a day of honoring different cultures.

“It’s about different cultural groups from our school body recognizing and identifying each other,” Kathol said.

During the Mass, students of different backgrounds carry flags representing countries around the world.

“I was surprised with an offer to represent Guatemala and accepted,” freshman Estuardo Alonzo said. “I was sad to hear the Mass had been canceled.”

Kathol said reactions to the cancellation were split, with some agreeing it was smart and others thinking it still should have taken place.