The end

This past Monday and Tuesday, we said farewell to the Class of 2012.  On Monday, Bishop Libasci celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass at Saint Anselm Abbey Church.  Close to ten clergy con-celebrated and Deacon Andrew Nelson assisted.  As always, it was a beautiful Mass in a beautiful setting.  As is our custom, students (Tiffany Keenan, Grace Pope, and Hunter Viscarello) gave some reflections after Mass and the soon to be graduates processed out carrying candles.

The following evening we had Commencement, again at Saint Anselm College in the Sullivan Arena.  I had the great privilege of opening with a prayer and I reminded the students to be Christ - not be like, but be - in the world.  I opened by recounting the story of the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Memphis, Dr. Mary McDonald, who upon taking the job, came across two crucifixes without arms.  She took that as a sign from God that she was to be His arms to these children.  We then prayed this great prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila:

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Good luck Class of 2012!  You are forever Pioneers.