In memory of a great man, and as a tribute to Whom and what he worked for, I offer this reminder of his charge to graduates of Thomas Aquinas College. Although he did not write the words, he fulfilled their intention in his life, and this exhortation constituted his final act as president for every student who graduated from the college in the last 18 years.

YOU ARE CHARGED, BEGINNING THIS DAY,
WITH MAINTAINING, DEFENDING, AND PROTECTING
YOUR CATHOLIC HERITAGE —
ITS FAITH, ITS HOPE, ITS CHARITY,
AND ALL ITS LEARNING AND CULTURE.

YOU MUST STRIVE IN YOUR LIVES TO LIVE FOR GOD ALONE,
THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

AND TO INSIST, IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON,
ON THE PRIMACY OF PETER AND THE CHURCH HE GOVERNS.

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND
THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE CONDITIONS OF THE WORLD,
WHAT THE VICISSITUDES OF THE SUFFERING CHURCH,
WHAT THE PAST HAS BEQUEATHED YOU,
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR YOU,

THAT, IN NEWMAN’S COURAGEOUS AND HOPEFUL WORDS,
“ALL WHO TAKE PART WITH THE APOSTLE
ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE.”

EACH OF YOU MUST SO LIVE YOUR LIFE
THAT WHEN YOU ARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER YOU CAN SAY,
AS DID THE ANGELIC DOCTOR
AS HE RECEIVED THE EUCHARIST FOR THE LAST TIME,

“I RECEIVE THEE,
PRICE OF MY REDEMPTION,
VIATICUM OF MY PILGRIMAGE,
FOR LOVE OF WHOM I HAVE FASTED, PRAYED, TAUGHT, AND LABORED NEVER HAVE I SAID A WORD AGAINST THEE.
IF I HAVE IT WAS IN IGNORANCE
AND I DO NOT PERSIST IN MY IGNORANCE.
I LEAVE THE CORRECTION OF MY WORK TO THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH,
AND IN THAT OBEDIENCE I PASS FROM THIS LIFE.”

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ON YOUR WAY.



May the Risen Christ bring him swiftly into Paradise.