Christendom College in Front Royal celebrated its 43 commencement May 14, awarding 97 undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2022. Internationally renowned author and theologian Cardinal Robert Sarah was honored during the ceremony with an honorary doctorate of humane letters before he delivered this year’s commencement address.
Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, began his commencement address by praising the college for putting Christ at its center.
“I’m very honored to receive a degree from such a college,” said Cardinal Sarah. “Christendom: the name of a Catholic college that places Christ at its center, with the distinct mission to restore all things in Christ and to rebuild Christendom so that our culture may be inspired again by Jesus Christ and what he left us … Graduates, you leave here today from Christendom as confident and courageous disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ, having been equipped with a solid Catholic formation in an extraordinary time. Thank you to the parents, benefactors, faculty and staff of the college who have made your formation possible.”
In his address, Cardinal Sarah spoke on the extraordinary time in history that the Class of 2022 lived through, including a global pandemic, a divisive national election and the ongoing threat of war in Europe for the first time since World War II. Moreover, Cardinal Sarah noted that the liquidation of God and moral relativism are more widespread than ever. The situation at hand makes colleges like Christendom crucially important, according to Cardinal Sarah, and he encouraged the Class of 2022 to welcome the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph into every aspect of their lives, relying on them as they rise to the challenges that lie ahead.
“Every university exists to form its students for the challenges that they will face. For a Catholic college like Christendom, that means having the courage to adhere to the faith of the church, even if that contradicts the modern world,” said Cardinal Sarah. “By recognizing the responsibilities to which we are called and by taking the important time to deliberate, especially in silence, and to respond to the challenges ahead with practical wisdom, we will fulfill our vocations and reveal to the world the beautiful constellation of values that God shapes within each one of us in order to restore all things in Christ and so to rebuild Christendom.”
The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Sarah, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, college chaplaincy and multiple alumni priests. At the graduation dinner that followed, Bishop Burbidge offered his blessing and thanked the college for what it is doing for the church.
“Christendom is a gem and a great treasure for the church,” said Bishop Burbidge.
Closing the ceremonies, Christendom President Timothy O’Donnell delivered his charge to the graduates, encouraging them to be men and women of great courage in the days ahead, making sure to follow Christ and proclaim him joyfully wherever they go.
“My charge to you as you go forth on this day: be men and women of courage. Proclaim joyfully the love of Christ and share that wisdom, which you have gained here, with anyone God puts into your life,” said O’Donnell. “As we say in our motto: dare to be great. These are no idle words. Dare to be great, to be different, carrying in your own hearts the great words of Christ the King whom we follow with passion and with love: ‘Be not afraid and take courage, for I have overcome the world.’ Please know as you go forth that our prayers are with you as together we continue to work to restore all things in Christ.”
