More than 1,500 students graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington May 16.
Seated on chairs set out on the university’s lawn, with blue skies above and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as a majestic backdrop, the graduates were surrounded by faculty, family and friends.
Many wore honor cords, or thin ropes, that indicated academic achievement and sported stoles identifying their academic major, including nursing; membership in an honor society; or their status as a student athlete.
Families came with bouquets of flowers and they scooped up Catholic U. t-shirts and rosaries as gifts for their graduates.
Then, with an invocation by Washington Cardinal Robert McElroy, university chancellor, and national anthem sung by Katie Vitale, a graduating performing arts student, the ceremony began.
Msgr. James Shea, a university alumnus, popular speaker and president of University of Mary in North Dakota, delivered the commencement address.
“Not a day has passed that everything I learned here at Catholic University hasn’t been part of my life — my dreams, my hopes, my work — it’s a key part of who I am,” he said. “ ‘Faith seeking understanding.’ I am so proud to be from this university. This place holds some of the happiest memories of my life.”
A Basselin scholar, Msgr. Shea earned his bachelor’s degree and licentiate in philosophy from Catholic U. in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
He urged the graduates to avoid mediocrity. “Every single examined life is haunted by mediocrity, the gap between who we were made to be and who we are,” he said. “Talent, deep learning, wealth and honors will not help overcome mediocrity. The only path is the secret to Christian perfection and holiness: stability (both within and without), constancy, fidelity and steadfastness.”
Msgr. Shea, who delivered his address without notes, said, “The pearl of great price is steady, constant communion with a God who loves us, who has given us our identity, who has created each of us for some great purpose, and who gives us the courage to finish it.
“If we endure, if we persevere, if we don’t give up, we always win. This is an ironclad principle of the Christian life,” he added.
Honorary degrees were bestowed on Msgr. Shea; Dr. John Bruchalski, pro-life physician and founder of Tepeyac OB/GYN Center in Fairfax; Lisa Brenninkmeyer, founder of Walking with Purpose Bible study for girls and women; and Iqbal Zahidul Quadir, who founded telecommunications companies to provide access to universal cell phone service in his home nation of Bangladesh and to reduce poverty.
University President Peter Kilpatrick told graduates, “I want to leave you today with two charges: Always pursue the truth, the truth about the human person, the truth about the world and the truth about God. And always do everything with the greatest love you can muster.”
He put his remarks in the context of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who will be beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis. A university alumnus, Archbishop Sheen began teaching philosophy and theology at Catholic U. in 1926 — exactly 100 years ago.
“It was (Archbishop) Sheen’s passion for pursuing the truth personally and for transmitting that truth to his students that made him into the saintly and remarkable person he became,” Kilpatrick said.
“I’m so proud of all of you. Congratulations Class of 2026 and may God bless all of you,” he said.
With those final words, the singing of the alma mater and a benediction, the graduates headed off to receive their diplomas and say final goodbyes to friends and faculty before beginning the next chapter of their lives.
