California
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May 17, 2025
Thomas Aquinas College’s 51st annual California Commencement saw the Class of 2025 complete four years of liberal education and go out to share the love of truth and Christ with the world.
Held on the 100th anniversary of the canonization of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, whom the Class of 2025 chose as its patroness, Commencement Day brought together the families and friends of 80 graduating seniors. The day began with the Baccalaureate Mass of the Holy Spirit in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, with Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94) — the Prefect of Studies at St. Michael’s Abbey — serving as the principal celebrant and homilist. In his homily, Fr. Sebastian compared Elijah and Christ, noting that, though their lives share many parallels, the former brings about the Lord’s justice, while the latter instead preaches of God’s salvific mercy. He urged the soon-to-be graduates to follow Christ and share the spirit of His love and mercy as they go into the world and evangelize.
“It is an interesting facet of human experience that we want to administer justice but to receive mercy,” he said. “Christ has access to a power which Elijah did not have: the power to communicate divine grace to souls, the power to convert sinners, to save what was lost.”
Photos: Baccalaureate Mass of the Holy Spirit
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The Commencement ceremony started soon after the Mass, with the Class of 2025 and faculty processing onto the academic quadrangle. College President Dr. Paul J. O’Reilly gave the opening remarks, thanking guests, friends, and family for attending. “Rest assured that despite the troublesome times we live in, it is not those who make the most noise, organize violent protests, that will have the final impact on our society,” he said. “You should be confident that the men and women who graduate today will, in their quiet way, lead us to a better tomorrow.”
Class Speaker Anthony Santine (’25) stepped up to the podium next, reflecting on the desire for truth instilled in the liberally educated in his Senior Address. “My friends, what greater gift could we ask of an education?” he inquired his classmates. “This education has taught us to ponder our own nature, and one cannot understand a nature without seeing it in light of its end. To be human is to be rational, to be rational is to have a yearning for the truth, and to desire truth is to desire God. Even amidst all the pangs of parting and tearful goodbyes, we should be struck with an incredible gratitude for this priceless gift.”
Photos: Commencement Ceremony
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Dr. O’Reilly then introduced this year’s Commencement Speaker, former College President Dr. Michael F. McLean, who had welcomed the Class of 2025 as freshmen during his last year as president and now had the honor of sending them off. He urged them to make use of the gift of their education in their lives going forward, giving examples from the College’s history to illustrate his point.
“The College has approached its challenges collaboratively and cooperatively, in a way that preserves friendship and mutual respect among colleagues, encourages open and honest conversation, communication, and compromise — building on smaller points of agreement and working toward consensus on the larger issues in question,” he said. “It is an approach that has worked well for us and one that will work well for you as you endeavor to serve your families, your communities, your country, and your Church in a culture that is not always friendly or supportive.”
With the keynote address complete, members of the Class of 2025 took turns ascending the stage and, presented with academic hoods and diplomas, became graduates of Thomas Aquinas College. After applause for the last graduate died down, Dr. O’Reilly read the College’s “Charge to the Graduates,” urging all to “live for God alone … no matter the conditions of the world.” To end the ceremony, the newest TAC alumni sang Byrd’s Non Nobis Domine, giving glory to God in its final act as a class.
