California
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August 22, 2022
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With great joy, Thomas Aquinas College, California, began its 52nd academic year on Monday — first, in prayer, at the Convocation Mass of the Holy Spirit, and then by welcoming new faculty and students at the ensuing matriculation ceremony.

Rev. Michael Hurley, O.P., (’99), an alumnus priest of the Western Dominican Province, offered the Convocation Mass, assisted at the altar by the campus’s two chaplains, Rev. Robert Marczewski and Rev. John Chung. Clouds of incense caught the morning sunlight and billowed upward to the sounds of polyphony, sung by the Thomas Aquinas College Choir, as members of the faculty and Board of Governors processed into Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.

In his homily, Fr. Hurley urged the freshman to entrust their years at the College to the Blessed Mother, especially under her titles “Queen of Heaven” and “Seat of Wisdom” — the latter of which is depicted in a statue above the Chapel’s main doors. “Ask Mary to reign in your hearts,” he said. “Seek Mary as the seat of wisdom, because God Himself sought her to be the seat of His incarnate wisdom.”

Mass of the Holy Spirit
  • Servers and faculty process toward the Chapel
  • The faculty process under the arch
  • The faculty in their pews
  • Fr. Michaels at the altar
  • Fr. Michaels at the pulpit
  • Fr. Michaels preaches, arms outstretched
  • Fr. Michaels at the altar
  • Faculty pray in the pews
  • Students pray in the pews
  • Students receive Communion at the rail
  • Fr. Michaels administers Communion
  • Fr. Michaels administers Communion
  • Students pray in the pews
  • The servers and priests process out

After Mass, faculty and students mingled over light refreshments before reconvening in St. Cecilia Hall. To begin Matriculation, and in keeping with the College’s fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium, Fr. Marczewski administered the Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith to the College’s two newest tutors, Dr. Ryan Brady and Dr. Charles Robertson.

After initiating the new faculty, College president Dr. Paul J. O’Reilly addressed the Class of 2026. “Liberal education is pursued for the sake of perfecting the mind, for coming to know the ‘why’ of things,” he said. “In other words, it is ordered to knowing the truth.” How can students at Thomas Aquinas College best pursue the truth? “Ensure you have leisure … Be docile to the order of the curriculum,” he said, adding: “Above all, allow the Christian faith to animate your efforts in and outside of the classroom.”

Then, one by one, the members of the Class of 2026 approached the stage and signed their names into the College’s registry, formally enrolling as students at Thomas Aquinas College. In his remarks, Fr. Hurley emphasized to these newest students that they were embarking on more than an intellectual journey: Theirs would be training for lives of authentic friendship. “May you, with joy, share this precious time together walking hand-in-hand, shoulder to shoulder,” he said, “as friends, toward our ultimate Friend.”

Matriculation
  • Tutors in a row sing a hymn
  • The chaplains, singing
  • The students singing
  • Dean Goyette delivers a speech
  • The students applaud
  • Fr. Marczewski witnesses as the new tutors take the Oath
  • President O'Reilly gives a speech
  • President O'Reilly shakes the hand of an incoming freshman
  • A student signs the register
  • Fr. Michaels shakes hands with an incoming freshman
  • Another student shakes Fr. Michaels' hand
  • Fr. Michaels delivers a joyful address
  • Students applaud

To conclude the ceremony, Dr. O’Reilly announced the start of the College’s 52nd academic year. Students and faculty alike responded with the stirring chorus of “Immaculate Mary.” With upperclassmen seminars beginning tonight, school is now in session!