We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Head of Vatican's Top Court Presides at Thomas Aquinas College 2010 Commencement
FREE Catholic Classes
May 23, 2010 - 12:38 PDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
SANTA PAULA, CA (May 23, 2010) - On Saturday, May 15, 2010, the most reverend Raymond L. Burke delivered the Commencement Address at Thomas Aquinas College; he also served as principal celebrant and homilist of the Baccalaureate Mass of the Holy Spirit earlier in the day. Archbishop Burke, a native of Wisconsin, traveled to the Ventura County campus from Rome where he has served since June 2008 as the prefect of the Catholic Church's highest court, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolica Signatura.
The College's 75 seniors, having successfully completed a 4-year course of classical studies in mathematics, science, Latin, literature, history, philosophy and theology, were awarded the degree of bachelor of arts in liberal arts. "There is no doubt that ours is a rigorous program," says Dean Brian Kelly. "These graduates should be very proud of themselves. We certainly are." Graduates will be going on to a wide variety of pursuits: law, medicine, education, the priesthood and religious life. Also noteworthy, 18 members of the Class of 2010 are engaged to be married to each other in the weeks ahead.
Elected by his classmates as Senior Class Speaker, Carson Lind of Minnesota spoke to the crowd of approximately 1200 friends and family about humility, exhorting the graduating seniors to cultivate this virtue, the first among the virtues, on which all others depend. Archbishop Burke took up the same theme in his commencement address, saying, "If the wisdom which you have acquired through your studies at Thomas Aquinas College is to remain untainted by the sin of pride and to develop to meet the most formidable challenges which surely lie before you, beloved graduates, as they lie before us all, then you must continue to practice the virtue of humility by which you have attained any measure of wisdom."
During the commencement ceremony, which was held outdoors in the academic quadrangle, Chairman R. James Wensley, by resolution of Thomas Aquinas College's board of governors, awarded Archbishop Burke the Saint Thomas Aquinas Medallion, the college's highest honor. Established by the governors in 1975, the award was given in recognition of Archbishop Burke's "exemplary loyalty and devotion to the Holy Father and the magisterium of the Church" and for his tireless work "to advance the mission of Christ on earth." Mr. Wensley noted in particular Archbishop Burke's lifelong support for authentic Catholic education at all levels, and his encouragement of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
After receiving the medallion, Archbishop Burke said, "...With sincerest gratitude, I accept the Saint Thomas Aquinas Medallion. Because of the profound esteem which I have for the mission of Thomas Aquinas College, carried out in complete fidelity to the teaching and discipline of the Church in what pertains to Catholic higher education, I am especially honored." He commented, too, that since childhood he has had a special devotion to St. Thomas Aquinas: "I thank God for giving me St. Thomas Aquinas as a spiritual companion, and I rededicate myself to imitate his virtues, most especially his humble and tireless pursuit of the truth revealed to us by God...."
During the commencement ceremonies, new members of the school's Order of St. Albert were also honored. The order was established in 1992 as a means of recognizing benefactors whose generosity has been exceptional. Inducted into the order on Saturday were Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Zeiter of Lodi, California, and Mr. Edward N. Mills of Oak View, California, and his late wife, Dolores.
The college's new president, Dr. Michael F. McLean, who was installed in office this past February, explained "On this day when we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating seniors, it was fitting that we pay tribute, too, to these new members of the Order of St. Albert whose magnanimity has contributed so greatly to our graduates' success."
ABOUT ARCHBISHOP BURKE: Raymond Leo Burke was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1948, the youngest of the six children of Thomas F. and Marie B. Burke. He attended high school at Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from 1962 to 1966. He also completed college courses there (1966 -1968) before attending the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he studied as a Basselin Scholar (1968 -1971). He undertook his studies for ordination at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1971-1975) and was ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI on June 29, 1975, at the Basilica of St. Peter.
Father Burke's first assignment was as associate rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. In 1980 Father Burke returned to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In April 1984, after completing his studies, he was named Moderator of the Curia and Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of La Crosse.
In 1989 Father Burke returned to Rome when Pope John Paul II named him Defender of the Bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the first American to hold this position on the Church's highest court. After five years in this post, the Holy Father appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. Bishop Burke was ordained to the episcopacy by Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1995, at the Basilica of St. Peter, and was installed in the Diocese of La Crosse on February 22, 1995, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
On December 2, 2003, Bishop Burke was named Archbishop of St. Louis, succeeding Justin Cardinal Rigali, who was appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia in July 2003. Archbishop Burke was installed in St. Louis on January 26, 2004, the fifth anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic pastoral visit to the archdiocese. On June 29th, 2004, twenty-nine years after his ordination to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI, he received the pallium as Archbishop of St. Louis, from Pope John Paul II.
Archbishop Burke has served as a member of the College of Judges of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, of the Congregation for the Clergy, and of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. He was appointed Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Church's highest court of appeal, by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, on June 27, 2008.
ABOUT THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE: Ranked one of the Top 50 "Best Values" in the country for 2010 among all private institutions in the United States by The Princeton Review, Thomas Aquinas College is a four-year, Catholic liberal arts college with a fully-integrated curriculum composed exclusively of the Great Books, the seminal works in the major disciplines by the greatest thinkers of Western civilization. There are no textbooks, no lectures and no electives. Instead, under the guidance of faculty members and using only the Socratic method of dialogue in classes of no more than 20, students read and discuss the original works of authors such as Euclid, Dante, Galileo, Descartes, the American Founding Fathers, Adam Smith, Shakespeare, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, Aristotle, Plato, St. Augustine, and of course, St. Thomas Aquinas. Graduates consistently excel in the many world-class institutions at which they pursue graduate degrees in fields such as law, medicine, business, theology and education. They have distinguished themselves serving as lawyers, doctors, business owners, priests, military service men and women, educators, journalists and college presidents.
Contact
Thomas Aquinas College
http://thomasaquinas.edu/news/pressroom/releases/2010/2010_Commencement_Speaker_Archbishop_Burke_Post.html
CA, 93060 US
Anne Forsyth - Director of College Relations, 805-525-4417
Keywords
commencement, court, vatican, thomas aquinas,
Category
Catholic Schools & Religious Education
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177
When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT
GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT
The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT
OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT
Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT
The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT
17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT
19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT
The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT
OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT
Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT
Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT
How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT
Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT
OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT
Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT
CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT
Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT
Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT
Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT
World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT
Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT
Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT
Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT
AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT
Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT
Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT
Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT
NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT
Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT
Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT
Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT
Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT
Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT
Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT
OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT
Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT
Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT
Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT
Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT
New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT
Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST