Catholic Leaders Issue Call to Evangelize at Franciscan University's 63rd Commencement

May 18, 2011 - 12:52 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

STEUBENVILLE, OH (May 18, 2011) - It takes about eight seconds to walk across the stage, receive a diploma, and turn the tassel to the right side of the mortarboard, signifying "mission accomplished."

That little scene consumed 5,368 seconds during Franciscan University of Steubenville's 63rd commencement exercises, held Saturday, May 14.

In total, 671 students--the second largest graduating class in Franciscan's history--received diplomas from the University's 40 undergraduate and 7 master's programs.

At each event, the new grads were called by Catholic leaders to be evangelizers to a world thirsting for an encounter with the living Christ.

Also at each event, special tribute was paid to Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, who will retire this summer after serving for 37 years as University president and chancellor during the school's most formative period of growth and impact on Catholic higher education.

At the May 13 Baccalaureate Mass, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, the former archbishop of St. Louis who now serves at the Vatican as the prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, received an honorary doctorate of humanities for his unwavering commitment to the sanctity of human life.

"I am deeply honored to receive this degree from a university which I have long admired and esteemed because of its fidelity to the nature of a Catholic university, born from the heart of the Church and in the heart of the Church," said Cardinal Burke.

As archbishop of St. Louis, he said he sought to hire "as many Franciscan University graduates as possible.... Except that frequently I couldn't obtain them, as other bishops had tapped them before I could."

He praised Father Scanlan who, "with a lion's heart" developed a truly Catholic university during an era in which, "many Catholic universities, I'm sad to say, under the pressure of an increasingly secularized society and culture, abandoned their Catholic identity."

To the Class of 2011, he said, "The most important gift you can bring to any effort which you carry out is the gift of Jesus Christ alive in your hearts. And that's a gift which has been cultivated here at Franciscan University."

At the commencement ceremony for master's degree recipients, the Honorable Jeff Fortenberry, U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 1st district, received an honorary doctorate in public administration for his pro-life, pro-family advocacy, and his lived witness to the Catholic faith in the public square.

Fortenberry, a 1996 graduate of Franciscan's MA theology program, said, "I consider this the best Catholic university in America. At Franciscan, the mind and heart are one. The faith illuminates the intellect and the quest for knowledge is truly alive. My time here gave me a deep reservoir of spiritual and intellectual formation, and I draw upon that reservoir as I make difficult decisions."

As a Catholic and a politician, Fortenberry said he is "sworn to uphold the dignity of each person." He cited the Declaration of Independence, which says, "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all persons are created equal," but acknowledged it took the spilling of blood and decades of turmoil before the country applied that clause to blacks, Native Americans, and a woman's right to vote.

Turning to our present age, he said, "And we hold these truths to be self evident, except today if you are an unborn person, vulnerable to the broken social paradigm of abortion, which has caused a deep wound in the soul of this country--and we have yet to fix that."

He told the graduates, "Your work as teachers, as catechists, counselors, business professionals, nurses, does have profound social implications for great good." He urged them to "work steadily to build this culture of life."

The undergraduate ceremony was the biggest event of the weekend. It began with faculty, dignitaries, and graduates streaming into Finnegan Fieldhouse to the familiar strains of Pomp and Circumstance, performed by the Gem City Brass Ensemble.

The honorary degree recipient and main speaker was Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, who for 32 years has been the preacher to the pope and the papal household.

In his rich Italian accent, Father Cantalamessa regaled the audience with stories of preaching to two popes. But his main message was to cling to Jesus if you want to obtain true success in life.

Cantalamessa said our earthly mission is to rise above the world's preoccupation with material possessions, physical beauty, even intelligence and fame, and strive for the least advertised level of success--holiness.

He said holiness "lasts forever, and only by holiness can you attain self fulfillment. Our vocation is to be like our Lord. This is our destiny, our vocation."

He used Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed John Paul II ("I can assure you he was a very holy man; so patient, so humble") as examples of holiness.

"Holiness is open to any person. The only condition is that you use your knowledge not just for yourself, but for others, for the glory of God."

His final words led to a standing ovation: "So you go out with a diploma. This is important. It is key for some vocations, but it is not enough. You need another certificate. You need the Holy Spirit!"

The ceremony concluded with University president, Father Terence Henry, TOR, naming Father Scanlan "President Emeritus."

Recognizing Father Scanlan's lifetime of work in support of the magisterium of the Church, the pro-life movement, evangelization, and the renewal of authentic Catholic higher education, Father Henry said, "Publicly our Church and culture owe this man a debt we can never repay. He let himself become a carefully crafted tool in God's hands, a willing instrument through which grace has passed again and again into this world."

Before giving the Benediction, Father Scanlan said, "The Irish in me is welling up with gratitude. May we meet many times upon life's glorious road. Let us go forth in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!"

Videos of the Baccalaureate Mass homily and both commencement exercises are available from the University Bookstore at www.franciscan.edu/bookstore or by calling 1-888-333-0381.

Video clips from all events can be found at www.franciscan.edu or www.youtube.com/user/FranciscanUSteubie.

Contact

Franciscan University of Steubenville
http://www.franciscan.edu
OH, 43952 US
Tom Sofio - Associate Director of Public Relations,

Keywords

Fr. Michael Scanlan, Commencement, Cardinal Burke, Jeff Fortenberry, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

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

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »