California
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August 22, 2022
With great joy, Thomas Aquinas ý, 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 ý 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 ý 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.”
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After Mass, faculty and students mingled over light refreshments before reconvening in St. Cecilia Hall. To begin Matriculation, and in keeping with the ý’s fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium, Fr. Marczewski administered the Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith to the ý’s two newest tutors, Dr. Ryan Brady and Dr. Charles Robertson.
After initiating the new faculty, ý 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 ý 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 ý’s registry, formally enrolling as students at Thomas Aquinas ý. 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.”
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To conclude the ceremony, Dr. O’Reilly announced the start of the ý’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!
