Dear Graduates,
On May 8, the world received the amazing news that Robert Cardinal Prevost was elected pope by the College of Cardinals. Taking the name Leo XIV, he became the first Roman Pontiff born in the United States. Like St. Peter the first pope, Pope Leo has the heart of a missionary, having served for many years in Peru. He takes seriously the mission Jesus gave to the Church to go out and proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. Of course, each of us by our baptism are also called by Christ to be missionaries, evangelists and apostles, literally those sent forth to continue His work in the world.
This challenge is directed especially to you, the Class of 2025, as you graduate and begin the next chapter in your life in college, military or the work force. It was to prepare you for the work of being missionary disciples that your parents have invested great effort, time and resources to give you the best Catholic formation they could. Whether through Catholic education or through parish catechetical programs, you have been provided the opportunity to maximize your God-given potential – spiritually, academically and personally.
Now you are called to use your gifts and talents to the best of your ability, to serve God, to assist other people, to help transform our world into a place of goodness, truth, peace and justice. You are sent forth with the grace and power of the Lord Jesus to share what you have learned and experienced of Him with others.
Just as Jesus promised his apostles, so He promises you and all Christians that He will not leave us orphaned but will be with us always until the end of the world. Now He reveals His presence and power through the working of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit of Pentecost that was given to you at baptism and more fully in confirmation. You will encounter the Risen Christ when you join in Mass each Sunday and Holy Day and receive Him in Holy Communion, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in your personal daily prayer and the reading of Scripture, as well as in your service to others, especially those in need.
As you graduate and begin a new chapter in your life, I pray that through the intercession and example of Mary, the Mother of God you may open your hearts once again to be touched by the Holy Spirit. Invoking the gifts of the Spirit, you may courageously bear witness to the faith and be a powerful influence for good no matter what you do next. May you always follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, and try to imitate His example of love, truth, compassion and leadership in your daily lives in whatever vocation, whatever profession the Lord has chosen for you.
Congratulations graduates of 2025, and may God bless you always!