Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops in
Rome Addresses Graduates
(Summer 1999 Newsletter)
About 1,000 guests turned out on a beautiful
summer day to attend an outdoor baccalaureate Mass and graduation
ceremonies on the lower lawn of the campus for forty-three
seniors of Thomas Aquinas College. Presiding over ceremonies
was Jan Cardinal Schotte, the Secretary General of the Synod
of Bishops.
Cardinal Schotte had delayed joining
Pope John Paul II on his historic trip to Poland just so he
could come to the College for this event. When the Holy Father
asked him to come with him to Poland, the Cardinal told him
he couldn't; he had to attend graduation ceremonies at Thomas
Aquinas College. The Holy Father then replied, "Oh, I
know that place! You have to bring them [the graduates] rosaries
from me!"
Cardinal Schotte caught a plane on Sunday
morning and went directly to Krackow, Poland to meet up with
Pope John Paul II for the remainder of his tour.
During the ceremonies, President Thomas
Dillon presented Cardinal Schotte with the Thomas Aquinas
Medallion, the highest award that the College gives to honor
those individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication
to God and His Church.
Students bowed to kiss the Cardinal's
ring as they approached, one-by-one, to receive their diplomas
and ó following the Cardinal's surprise announcement ó one
of the Pope's rosaries. It was an added treasure for the graduates,
who hail from 12 states and Canada.
A whopping 25% of these graduates (11)
are considering vocations to the priestly or religious life.
Seven others are heading off to graduate school immediately,
while nine plan to attend after working to pay down student
loans. Another two plan to attend medical school after completing
a year of pre-med course work. Six will be teaching in private
elementary schools; and two will be in Washington, D.C., engaged
in public policy work. The remaining graduates are entering
the workforce in various fields.
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