Christendom College in Front Royal celebrated its 44th commencement May 13, awarding 114 undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2023. President Emeritus John Haas of the National Catholic Bioethics Center delivered the commencement address and was awarded the college’s St. Thomas More Medal for Defense of the Faith and Holy Mother Church, while Bishop Michael F Burbidge was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Haas began his address by praising the graduates, the parents, and the college’s faculty and staff for their hard work and sacrifices that made the day possible.
“Christendom College is truly a light to the nation,” said Haas. “It is renowned for its scholarship and for its fidelity to the Catholic faith. We congratulate all of you students today who have worked so hard for your diplomas, and we congratulate your parents and other family members for giving you support through what has certainly been a challenging, demanding, joy-filled and, I’m sure, exhilarating journey. Today, we look forward to the future with hope.”
Haas spoke passionately about the issues graduates will face following graduation, including abortion, rampant secularism and a culture that has turned its back on its Judeo-Christian tradition. He then challenged the graduates to go out into the world and use everything they learned at Christendom to truly “restore all things in Christ.”
“You Christendom graduates are equipped to confront today’s tyrants by looking to the example of St. Thomas More and invoking his prayers, and because of the unparalleled education you’ve received here in the Shenandoah Valley,” said Haas. “Your task will be to help reorder the world and bring it once more into alignment with what God created it to be. The challenges are there, but we can be of good cheer because we are Catholics … you have been formed, prepared and educated for this moment here at Christendom. Through the rigorous and faithful program of this college, you have been truly educated, and you, the parents, should never regret the sacrifices you made for your children’s education here at Christendom. Dear graduates of Christendom, dare to be great.”
Bishop Burbidge, along with the college chaplaincy and multiple alumni priests, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for graduates and their families May 12. At the graduation dinner following, Bishop Burbidge was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters for his outstanding leadership of the college’s home diocese. In his address, Bishop Burbidge thanked the college for warmly welcoming him over the past six years and called the college a “treasure.”
“This is truly a great honor and a privilege to accept this degree. I am very humbled,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Ever since I arrived here in the Diocese of Arlington, I have felt tremendously welcomed by Dr. and Mrs. O’Donnell and by the Christendom community. Over the past six years, that relationship has been strengthened with many beautiful events and gatherings here and, most recently, with the tremendous privilege of dedicating the new Christ the King Chapel. Today, this relationship is solidified even more so by accepting this honorary degree. This degree will serve as a reminder of my great gratitude for this college, which is a treasure to this diocese and to the Universal Church. It will also be a daily reminder that I will be praying continually for the Christendom College community, that the Lord will continue to shower his graces upon you, your great work and your great ministry.”
Closing the commencement ceremonies May 13, college President Timothy O’Donnell delivered his charge to the graduates.
“During your four years, you have embraced in a profound way the true, the good and the beautiful,” said O’Donnell. “That has led you, because of the beautiful union of faith and reason here at Christendom, to a deeper encounter with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are a class that loves deeply. Love, of course, is what makes us human. But love is also what makes us saints … My prayer and charge to you today is to take to heart what He says to each and every one of you: unless you become like little children, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. If you do that, with God’s grace, it will make you more confiding, more trustful, and will also make you more loving. With God’s grace, never lose the childlike wonder that you manifested throughout your time here, for such is the kingdom of heaven. Know that our prayers and hearts go with each and every one of you. God bless you all.”
