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e T Commencement 2014 C 1 al 7 if 19 Volume 42, Issue 3 ornia -

“Be Witnesses to the Truth” Cardinal O’Brien Salutes College’s 40th Graduating Class

hen members of the Thomas Aquinas College us, as He has all His saints throughout the ages, ” she said. WClass of 2014 gathered for their Commencement “It takes true love of neighbor, true love of Truth, to bring ceremony on May 17, they heard a powerful message a stranger into our world, to show him the Truth, to help from His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, Grand him desire that goodness and order.” (See page 4.) Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Following Miss Seeley’s address, the College awarded of Jerusalem. “Be witnesses to truth,” he declared. “Help Cardinal O’Brien its highest honor, the Saint Thomas give the West a new birth of freedom: freedom tethered Aquinas Medallion. (See story, below.) Then, amid the to truth and ordered to goodness; freedom lived beauti- customary cheers and jubilation, the graduates each fully, as you have been taught to live here in this beautiful approached the dais to receive their bachelor hoods and and noble place.” diplomas, the culmination of four years’ diligent effort. Having served as a chaplain in the United States Remembering Kent Army, the rector of two seminaries, and the Archbishop For all the joy and celebration, however, there was an of the Military Services, U.S.A., Cardinal O’Brien was undertone of sorrow. One member of the Class of 2014, uniquely suited to deliver this bold charge. “We find our- Andrew “Kent” Moore, was not on hand to receive a selves today in a postmodern world that can no longer diploma. Two years ago, while walking across the coun- affirm ‘the truth,’ only ‘your truth’ and ‘my truth,’” His try in support of the unborn, Kent died after being struck Eminence told the 82 members of the College’s 40th by an oncoming vehicle. Yet his spirit was palpable at the graduating class. “It will be the task of your generation,” Commencement ceremony, which his classmates dedi- he added, “to remind the West that reason is part of our cated to Kent. They also chose his namesake, St. Ken- civilizational heritage, and that the Catholic Church is tigern, for their Class Patron. the great institutional safe-deposit box of reason in the “What a blessing has been yours these last four years, “Surely he is here with us in the Communion of 21st century.” (See page 3.) Class of 2014, to have been formed here, at this college, Saints,” said Cardinal O’Brien at the Baccalaureate Mass. Truth and Joy in an atmosphere of deep Christian joy,” observed Car- “We remember his family as well as the pro-life cause The day began with the Baccalaureate Mass in Our dinal O’Brien in his homily. “May that joy overflow, like which he so heroically championed, and which Thomas Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, for which Cardi- living water, for a world so very athirst for the living God.” Aquinas College has so unfailingly and successfully pro- nal O’Brien served as the principal celebrant and hom- Shortly after the Mass, the congregation reconvened moted.” In his remarks at the Commencement exercises, ilist. As the Thomas Aquinas College Choir sangVeni, on the academic quadrangle for the Commencement President Michael F. McLean asked those present to Sancte Spiritus from the Chapel’s choir loft, members of ceremony. Continuing the day’s theme of intellectual “please join us in praying for the repose of Kent’s soul, for the Class of 2014, the faculty, the Board of Governors, evangelization, Class Speaker Felicity Seeley (’14) spoke the consolation of his parents and siblings, who are with and the clergy processed into the building. Vested in red, of the graduates’ duty to pursue the truth, to embrace it, us today, and that his example might always be an inspira- the College’s four chaplains and several visiting priests and to share it. “The power of Truth is to change us from tion for these graduates.” joined His Eminence at the altar to concelebrate the the inside out; to liberate us from sin and error; to free us Called to be witnesses to the truth, the Class of 2014 Mass of the Holy Spirit. from fear and lead us to eternal happiness; to transform has one of its own members for a model and guide. The Saint Thomas Aquinas Medallion College Awards Cardinal O’Brien its Highest Honor

he Saint Thomas Aquinas Medal- at Fort Bragg in North Carolina before Archdiocese for the Military Services, Tlion is the highest honor conferred heading to Vietnam in 1971, where he U.S.A., the spiritual shepherd for Catholic by Thomas Aquinas College, and eligi- traveled the country by helicopter to min- members of the American Armed Forces bility for it rests upon a single criterion: ister to soldiers in the field. After the war and their families around the world. Arch- fidelity. Neither fame, titles, nor offices he became a chaplain at Fort Gordon in bishop O’Brien continued in that role for are sufficient qualifications; the honor Augusta, Georgia. 10 years until Pope Emeritus Benedict is reserved for those who have demon- In 1973 Fr. O’Brien took what would XVI named him the Archbishop of Balti- strated extraordinary dedication to God become a 24-year break from his chap- more in 2007. and His Church, as well as leadership in laincy duties and departed for Rome, In 2012 Pope Benedict elevated advancing the teachings of the Church. where he earned a Doctorate in Sacred Archbishop O’Brien to cardinal, then “Nearly every year since our first Theology at the Pontifical University of named him the Grand Master of the Cardinal O’Brien’s onetime superior, the Commencement in 1975, we have taken St. Thomas Aquinas. Upon his return Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre late John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop a moment to pay tribute to the year’s stateside in 1976, he served as the vice- of Jerusalem. The Order claims 23,000 of New York. While presenting the honor, Medallion recipients,” said President chancellor of the Archdiocese of New clerical, religious, and lay members world- Board of Governors Chairman R. Scott Michael F. McLean during this year’s York and associate pastor at St. Patrick’s wide. It is responsible for promoting Turicchi praised the Cardinal for a life of Commencement ceremony. “This is a Cathedral. Between 1983 and 1985 he and defending Christianity in the Holy “exemplary loyalty and devotion to the fitting time to do so, for we hope that as was the priest-secretary to two Archbish- Land, through both prayer and financial Holy Father and the magisterium of the our graduates go forth from the College, ops of New York, Cardinals Cook and assistance. Church.” they will emulate our honorees in their O’Connor. Over the next dozen years, he “From his chaplaincy in the jungles of own lives.” At Commencement 2014, Dr. A Soldier’s Priest served as rector at the North American Vietnam,” said President McLean, “to his McLean continued, the College awarded After his ordination to the priest- College in Rome and St. Joseph’s Semi- care of our nation’s 1.5 million Catholic the Medallion to “a faithful soldier for hood for the Archdiocese of New York in nary in New York, where among his stu- military men and women, to his stew- Christ,” His Eminence Edwin Cardinal 1965, young Fr. O’Brien became a civil- dents was the College’s head chaplain, ardship of the Church’s work in the Holy O’Brien, Grand Master of the Equestrian ian chaplain at the United States Military Rev. Joseph Illo. Land, Cardinal O’Brien has exhibited Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Academy at West Point. Five years later, St. John Paul II appointed Fr. O’Brien the qualities of a knight in service to his In receiving the Medallion, Cardinal he shed his civilian status, undertaking to the episcopacy in 1996 as the Auxiliary Lord, Jesus Christ: steadfastness in ser- O’Brien is in good company. Past recipi- flight and parachute training to earn the Bishop of New York. Only one year later, vice, courage in teaching and defending ents include Bl. Mother Teresa, M.C.; Ser- rank of captain and become a chaplain in however, the new bishop left his home the truths of our faith, and selflessness in vant of God Rev. John Hardon, S.J.; and the United States Army. He briefly served state to become the Archbishop of the shepherding the souls in his care.” From the Desk of the President: “Martha’s Plight” Dr. McLean’s Remarks to the Class of 2014 at the President’s Dinner

t can be humbling for those of us important and, I would say, eminently It is better, then, to have taken the logic Iengaged in the active life, and perhaps practical things you have learned in your class that we hope improved your thinking as well for you, most of whom are about time here. From Socrates, that honest and and reasoning skills and the seminar that to embark on an active life, to consider St. heartfelt conversation about serious and we hope improved your writing and read- Thomas’s many reasons for saying that the fundamental things is an integral part of ing skills. For these, along with the con- contemplative life is more excellent than the “examined life.” From Aristotle, that versational and analytical skills you have the active life. I will pass over his first eight life is not about the acquisition of wealth, picked up along the way, will help in any reasons and go right to the ninth: “Our the attainment of honor, or the pursuit field. As you consider what you willdo , Lord adds a ninth reason,” St. Thomas of pleasure, but rather is about the cul- be assured of the value of your education, says, “when He says: ‘Mary has chosen tivation of intellectual and moral virtue be confident in articulating its strengths, said, ‘Lord do you not care that my sister the best part, which shall not be taken in the company of good friends. From and always remember that you are better has left me to serve alone? Tell her then away from her.’” Sophocles and St. Thomas, that human prepared than you might think for doing to help me.’” The demands of the active In expounding this text, St. Thomas law must reflect the natural and eternal something important and rewarding, life press upon us, but to the extent that appeals to Augustine, who says: “Not law and be ordered to the common good. something of service to your Church, to we imitate Martha’s love and her service — Thou hast chosen badly but — She From Scripture and Shakespeare, that we your country, and to your community. — she, after all, “received Him into her has chosen better. Why better? Listen — are called to serve others and to love our Utilitarian concerns inevitably play house” — the active life pertains to char- because it shall not be taken away from neighbors as ourselves. From Augustine a role in life and must be taken seri- ity and so can be a preparation for the her. But the burden of necessity shall at and Dante, that “our hearts are restless ously. Unfortunately, however, they have contemplative life and a means to our length be taken from thee, whereas the until they rest in Thee,” and that life is become a virtual obsession in education salvation. sweetness of truth is eternal.” ordered to the attainment of heaven. and in the broader culture today. The real We ought to be encouraged, however, St. Kentigern These are but a few examples, but if answer to the question about the good of by other things St. Thomas says when The life of your class patron, St. Ken- you were to consider the matter carefully your education is found in St. Paul’s Epis- comparing the active and contemplative tigern, after whom our late and dearly and at greater length, you would see that tle to the Colossians: “If, then, you were lives. For example, immediately after the beloved friend and classmate, Kent your education has been practical in the raised with Christ, seek what is above, text I just cited, he says: “Yet in a restricted Moore, was named, bore witness to the deepest sense — that it has drawn your where Christ is seated at the right hand of sense and in a particular case one should ordination of the active life to the con- attention to the things that make life most God. Think of what is above, not of what prefer the active life on account of the templative life, as well as to the tension worth living and, to that extent, has been is on earth.” The curriculum of the Col- needs of the present life. Thus, too, the that sometimes exists between them. St. an excellent preparation for the active life lege, ordered as it is to Catholic philoso- Philosopher says: ‘It is better to be wise Kentigern actively labored as a bishop, and for the contemplative life to which phy and theology, has helped you to grow than to be rich, yet for one who is in need, living an austere life and making many the active life is ordered. in the knowledge and love of God while it is better to be rich.” Eminently sound converts by his holy example and preach- the moral and spiritual life of the College advice from an eminently practical man, ing. His work culminated, however, in The Uses of a Liberal Education has fostered and strengthened your per- not to be forgotten — especially when the founding of a large contemplative To the question, though, of what you sonal relationship with Christ. These are it comes to the financial needs of the monastery in Wales, of which he was the can do with your education, I would offer great gifts, examples of the higher things College! first superior. Called by King Roderick some reassurance: While it seems to of which St. Paul is speaking. Another encouraging remark is found from the contemplative life back to the make sense that students ought to pursue I am certain that God has a plan for in the next article where St. Thomas active life in Scotland, however, St. Ken- programs narrowly focused on the labor each and every one of you, and that one argues that the contemplative life is of tigern continued to preach and evangelize market — at least to the extent that jobs of the greatest gifts you have received here greater merit than the active life. “Nev- until founding the See of Glasgow in 581, are the be all and end all of education — is the ability to quiet your soul and to hear ertheless,” he says, “it may happen that where he served until his death in 603. there is growing evidence that this narrow His voice. This is excellent preparation for one man merits more by the works of St. Kentigern is an excellent model — he focus may not work. As an article in the discerning whatever work you are called the active life than another by the works seems to have been a man who fulfilled his Wall Street Journal pointed out recently, to do. Together with the other gifts you of the contemplative life. For instance duties, despite, perhaps, his own personal “nobody can predict where the jobs will have received, it is also excellent prepa- through excess of Divine love a man may preferences, and who combined well the be — not the employers, not the schools, ration for confronting the atheism and now and then suffer separation from the active and contemplative lives. not the government officials who are relativism of our time and for heeding St. sweetness of Divine contemplation for I offer these brief reflections on the making loud calls for vocational training. John Paul II’s call in your class quotation the time being, that God’s will may be active and contemplative lives because The economy is simply too fickle to guess “to work with God in the building of the done and for His glory’s sake. Thus the they look forward to your pursuits after way ahead of time …[and] choosing the civilization of love.” These things many of Apostle says: ‘For I could wish that I graduation and because I am often asked, wrong path could make things worse, not you will do by engaging in spiritual and myself were accursed and cut off from as I suspect you have been and will be better.” corporal works of mercy, acts of charity Christ for the sake of my brethren’ which often asked, “What good is a liberal edu- Moreover, the article continues, “a nar- which are the summit of the active life. words Chrysostom expounds as follows: cation?” or “What have you spent your row educational focus would have forced Finally, and most importantly, your edu- ‘His mind was so steeped in the love of time and money doing these past four you to pick a career at 17, before you knew cation has put you on a path which, if Christ that, although he desired above all years?” I submit that a very good answer much about your interests and abilities. you follow it faithfully, will one day lead to be with Christ, he despised even this, would be “preparing well for the active An incorrect choice would require start- to your joining the angels and the saints, because thus he pleased Christ.’” and contemplative life.” ing over again later on, a not always easy among whom, we trust, is Kent Moore, in Finally, in the following article, where Consider some of the extremely thing to do.” seeing God in the beatific vision. St. Thomas says that “the active life hin- ders the contemplative, in so far as it is Commencement Festivities impossible for one to be busy with exter- nal action, and at the same time give one- 1. After completing their theses, seniors burn the self to Divine contemplation,” he also says draft copies …2. … and after their last exam, they “the active life may be considered as qui- dive into the campus ponds … 3. … then boast of their accomplishments in St. Joseph Commons. eting and directing the internal passions 4. After the President’s Dinner, seniors go bowling of the soul; and from this point of view with the tutors … 5. … and then mingle with the active life is a help to the contempla- parents at the President’s Reception the next day. 1 tive, since the latter is hindered by the inordinateness of the internal passions. 2 Hence Gregory says: ‘Those who wish to hold the fortress of contemplation must first of all train in the camp of action.’” I find these comments of St. Thomas encouraging, and I hope you do, too, because Martha’s plight is really the plight of us all: “Martha was distracted with 5 4 3 much serving; and she went to Him and

– 2 – “You Have Been Formed for a Mission” The Commencement Address of His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O’Brien

n old Irish joke has it that a commencement speaker Jerusalem over the side — the Athenian pillar of West- Ais like the deceased at an Irish wake: You have to ern civilization begins to crumble. Reason, left to its have him so that the party can begin! own devices, is diminished, and then begins to ques- Thank you for inviting me to share this special day tion its own capacities. Or, to put it another way, if you with you on this beautiful campus, which so magnifi- no longer believe that the God of the Bible imprinted cently evokes both faith and reason, and which reminds the divine reason on creation, in his very act of creation, us that beauty is a unique path to God in our confused then, sooner or later, you will cease to believe that cre- and sometimes ugly age. ation is “reasonable:” that there are truths built into the Dear friends of the Class of 2014 of Thomas Aquinas world and into us that we can get to by reason. And that is College: precisely where we find ourselves today: in a postmodern Your commencement day falls between the canoniza- world that can no longer affirm “the truth,” only “your tion of Pope St. John Paul II, which was celebrated on truth” and “my truth.” April 27, and the Ecumenical pilgrimage of Pope Francis But as John Paul II pointed out, that collapse of faith to Jerusalem, Greece, and Rome, which will begin in just in the truth is socially and politically unstable. For if there one week — the Greek Patriarch, the Pope of Rome on is only your truth and my truth, and neither of us recog- a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. That seems an entirely appro- nizes anything as the truth, then how do we settle the priate and happy coincidence for a school like this. For argument when your truth and my truth come into con- Thomas Aquinas College, which seeks to train young “In being formed by the unique flict? Against what horizon of judgment do we resolve minds in the classics of Western civilization and does education offered here at Thomas our dispute? There isn’t any. So either you impose your so in an authentically Catholic spirit, is a school which Aquinas College, you have been truth on me, or I impose my truth on you. appreciates that Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome are the formed for a mission: and that And that brings us, in short order, to what Pope Bene- three pillars of Western civilization — the civilizational mission is nothing less than the rescue dict XVI called the “dictatorship of relativism.” In a soci- heritage of which you, the Class of 2014 are the heirs and of the civilizational project of the ety where Jerusalem and Athens have crumbled, Rome, trustees. too, must crumble. When the God of the Bible has been West. Some of you will do this in the Permit me a few brief thoughts on Jerusalem, Athens, jettisoned and, as a consequence, faith in reason has dis- beautiful microcosm of the family. and Rome, their place in the civilizational project that appeared, the rule of law will inevitably disappear as well, Others of you will do this through we call the “West,” and the challenges which that project sooner or later. a vocation to the priesthood or the faces today. In being formed by the unique education offered here consecrated religious life. All of you at Thomas Aquinas College, you have been formed for a Jerusalem will do this, I pray, as citizens. It is a mission: and that mission is nothing less than the rescue From biblical religion, the West learned the crucial challenge that you have been uniquely of the civilizational project of the West. Some of you will lesson that our lives are not cyclical repetition or chaotic equipped to meet, a task for which do this in the beautiful microcosm of the family. Others happenstance. Rather, the Bible taught the West that our you are singularly well formed.” of you will do this through a vocation to the priesthood lives are in via, “on the way,” a journey, a pilgrimage, with or the consecrated religious life. All of you will do this, an origin, a design, and a destination. The origin is God, I pray, as citizens. It is a challenge that you have been creator of heaven and earth, and the destination is the who wrote the encyclical Fides et Ratio, to remind the uniquely equipped to meet, a task for which you are Kingdom of God, in the wedding feast of the Lamb, of West that reason is part of our civilizational heritage, and singularly well formed. The challenge and the task are which St. John wrote in the 21st chapter of the Book of that the Catholic Church is the great institutional safe- daunting, to be sure. But the challenge and the task are Revelation. deposit box of reason in the 21st century West. also exhilarating. This notion of life as journey or pilgrimage has been Rome Pope St. John Paul II, at your age, lived under a dra- crucial to the forward thrust of Western civilization, its From Rome, and from great figures like Cicero, who conian Nazi occupation that seemed to mark the end of orientation toward the future, and its striving to improve through your studies have become your traveling com- civilization: the end of faith, the end of reason, the end the human condition. Life as journey and pilgrimage is panions on the pilgrimage of life, Western civilization of law, the end of mercy and compassion and love. Take never dull and never boring; life as journey and pilgrim- learned that the rule of law is superior to the rule of brute heart from his example. By holding fast to Jerusalem, age is always an adventure. And if so many of our con- force in the exercise of arbitrary power. That lesson has Athens, and Rome, by holding fast to his conviction that temporaries seem, today, dazed and bored, perhaps that’s to be learned in every generation. But in learning it, we Christ has conquered death and that God’s purposes will because they have paid insufficient attention to Jerusalem recapitulate the lessons learned, not without cost, in the be vindicated, the young man who became John Paul II — to the biblical foundations of our civilization. Roman forum and in the building of a law-governed pol- survived the Nazi tyranny and defeated the Communist And perhaps, in your families and professional lives, ity that once ruled the entire Mediterranean world. tyranny. you can do something to remind the world that biblical As that Roman lesson about the superiority of the That example can inspire you to be witnesses to truth, religion liberates human beings in the deepest meaning rule of law worked itself out in the Christian Middle witnesses who will help give the West a new birth of free- of human liberation. Ages, other ideas were added to the mix: that there is an dom: freedom tethered to truth and ordered to good- Athens inherent sense of justice in the people to which just gov- ness; freedom lived beautifully, as you have been taught From classical Greek philosophy, which lives here in ernment must attend; that consent is essential to just gov- to live here in this beautiful and noble place. Santa Paula as it lives in few other American institutions ernance; that positive law must be tethered to the natural Godspeed on your journey. of higher learning, Western civilization learned that there moral law if law is not to decompose into an instrument are truths embedded in the world and in us, and that of tyranny. Pope St. John Paul II reminded the West of For audio of Cardinal O’Brien’s address, see men and women can arrive at those truths through the these truths in his social magisterium; and it must be thomasaquinas.edu/commencement2014. exercise of reason. (We just heard the Class Speaker give your care and concern to be witnesses to these truths in a beautiful exposition of truth and reason.) That confi- your lives as citizens. dence is at the root of our convictions about the natural Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome: three pillars of the moral law, as it is at the root of Western science. West; three mutually dependent pillars of the West. All You have learned here, I’m sure, that reasoning is hard must be sturdy; each must reinforce the others, if the work. But I expect you’ve also learned that the exercise of Western project is to continue, and continue in ways that reason can be exhilarating. Love lifts us out of ourselves; support genuine human flourishing. Let me take a brief so does learning. As heirs and trustees of the tradition of moment to explore this along the via negativa: by way of Athens, my hope for you is that you will all be lifetime the bad example of recent history. learners, who never tire of stretching your minds, as I As the great French theologian and friend of John pray you will never tire of opening your hearts. Paul II, Henri de Lubac, taught us in his book The Drama And in a culture that is increasingly confused about of Atheistic Humanism, 19th century European high cul- the truth of things, be, like John Paul II, witnesses to the ture misunderstood the God of the Bible as the enemy of truth: the truth that there is more than “your truth” and human maturation and freedom. So the God of the Bible “my truth,” the truth that there is something properly had to go, in the name of liberation. The rapid and often called “the truth,” and we have access to it by our reason. virulent secularization of European culture followed. Cardinal O’Brien presents a diploma to Liam Atchley There are other avenues to truth, of course: but it will be But then what happened? It turns out that, if you (’14). the task of your generation, tutored by the Pope and saint throw the God of the Bible over the side — if you throw

– 3 – What is Truth? Excerpts from the 2014 Senior Address

By Felicity Seeley (’14) can fit in our minds such that we can be certain, knowing its cause, that it is the cause, and that it cannot be oth- riends, “I should like to have a word with you, here, erwise. If that were so, it would imply that Truth can be Fon this very spot. We shall be parting soon. Let us fully comprehended by us, that there is nothing beyond agree here that we will never forget one another. And human understanding. But we know this to be false. whatever may happen to us later in life, even if we do not Our patron, St. Thomas, spends time proving that God meet for twenty years afterwards, let us always remem- is infinite, that is, unbounded, and therefore far beyond ber” what good times we have had here, searching for the comprehension of our limited minds. But we already Truth together. “And even though we may be involved in know that God is Truth. Thus, we can conclude that, the most important affairs, achieve distinction or fall into while knowable things are part of Truth, and the founda- some great misfortune, all the same, let us never forget tion for our knowledge of it, the fullness of Truth is not how good we once felt here, all together, united by such knowable by us. good and kind feelings as made us, too, for the time per- After all, Truth is to be found in every part of us. haps better than we are.” Searching for Truth is not just a formation of our minds, The Class of 2014 elected Felicity Seeley as its Class Alyosha’s words at the end of Dostoyevsky’s Broth- Speaker … but also of our hearts. It teaches us to desire what we know ers Karamazov remind us of the importance of each and of it, not only what is comprehensible, but also the mys- every experience of goodness. This is what the Class of teries. For this Truth is not merely of understanding, but 2014 would like to thank all of you for. Cardinal O’Brien, Truth,” he seems to advise. “Open your mind, open your one of living and being. It is both knowing and loving with members of the Board, parents and families, dear tutors heart, and keep them open. When you ‘know’ something, our whole soul everything that we can know and love; it and staff, thank you for joining us on this Commence- you could be wrong. Don’t blindly follow others’ leads; is participating in what God knows and loves. ment day to help us form another memory of love and listen to them, ask questions, and don’t take anything for That, friends and family of the Class of 2014, is what unity. Christ said, “I came that they may have life, and granted; they could be wrong, too.” we have gained: the beginning of Eternal Wisdom. That have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We thank all of you To find Truth we must be open to it; we must not is what we cel- who have given us this school, which has been for us a greedily hold on to what we think is right, and we must ebrate. Now we means to increase in faith, hope, and love, a means for life always be willing to ask questions. Even if what we know will go out into the more abundant than any of us could have imagined. is true, that truth can only deepen our souls and fill us up world, hoping to As Class Speaker, I am supposed to express what if we have faith in its depth, never being content with a continue our learn- we have come to celebrate. My task is to vocalize what surface explanation, but always diving in head-first. ing at the hands of may not meet the eye when you look at our class today. This school’s attitude is ideal for both of these Socratic God, Who teaches You may see a small group of young students who are admonitions. Through the “Socratic Method,” the classes through His cre- exhausted from four years of intense studying — and force us to test our own notions and conclusions by field- ation. We go out two months of partying. You may see a close-knit bunch ing the questions of peers and tutors. Similarly, we are as Christ sent His of friends who are relieved to be done with this stage of encouraged to question and clarify the ideas and opin- Apostles: “Behold, their lives, and joyful to all be done together, if sad to say ions of others, whether our fellow students and tutors, I send you out as goodbye. And that is all we may understand ourselves: or the greatest thinkers Western civilization has ever sheep in the midst exhaustion and relief, sadness and vague joy. known. Thus, the school helps in these first steps. Fur- of wolves” (Matt. … Patrick Cross to lead the Pledge But really, we have done something great, something ther, it gives us the thoughts that the world has judged 10:16). Being wit- of Allegiance … to be proud of. What have we been doing these four years? the “great books.” We read many writers throughout the nesses to Christ centuries of human history because many of them con- and the Truth means again baring our souls, showing Finding Truth tain snippets and slivers of truth. our world to those who have not seen it. God will give Many of Thomas Aquinas College’s T-shirts say,Carpe us courage and aid. “Do not be anxious how you are to Veritatem — Seize the Truth. You have probably seen speak or what you are to say,” Christ orders us; “for what them either on the website, in slideshows, or on the backs “We all came here as freshmen to you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is of your friends and family. We all came here as freshmen seize the Truth. We all came because not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking to seize the Truth. We all came because Thomas Aqui- Thomas Aquinas College offered Truth, through you.” nas College offered Truth, proposed its curriculum and proposed its curriculum and method as As I see it, Christ is the jackhammer to Plato’s Cave. method as truth-seeking. That is what the school set out truth-seeking. That is what the school With one saving act, He destroyed the dark world of to teach, and that is what the Class of 2014 set out to find. set out to teach, and that is what the opinion forever; the world will never be the same. His Did we find it? Class of 2014 set out to find.” help is more effective than any argument, and His love Well ... “What is Truth?” (John 18:38). I know I did shining through us, informed by the Truth we have found not have a clear idea when I decided to attend. Perhaps here, is all we need in order to serve Him and bring others Pilate was right to ask the question. After all, human If truth is found in all these places, however, perhaps to love Him, too. beings have asked it our search is much more complicated than we thought. When I was a freshman, a senior commented on fresh- since the beginning of For every truth participates in and is a facet of the Truth. man theology, pointing out to me, “If you are reading the language. This includes truths of every subject, from philosophy Bible and it is not changing your life, you are not read- There have been and theology to astronomy and music. The challenge is to ing it.” She was right. The Scriptures are pure and eternal many answers: “Truth continuously fit them together so that no class is separate Truth. The same power can be attributed to all the Truth is individual, dis-inte- from the others, so that each brings Truth’s diversity to we read here. The power of Truth is to change us from grated facts,” or “Truth one place: our souls, hearts, and minds. We must always the inside out; to liberate us from sin and error; to free is relative.” Some peo- remember what we have learned, making sure that what us from fear and lead us to eternal happiness; to trans- ple take a truth to be we are saying now in math agrees with what we said last form us, as He has all His saints throughout the ages, into whatever an authority semester in theology. That is what an integrated curricu- His servants, friends, and brothers. When Pilate scoffs, says, afraid that Truth lum is all about: making Truth one. it is only because he cannot see this power. He does not isn’t strong enough to This is also what makes Aristotle and Thomas Aqui- search for it, he does not love it. answer our questions. nas so great. Their works form an integrated whole; these I end with the hope that Alyosha expresses in his More recently, the … and Thomas Quackenbush authors touch on everything because their idea of Truth speech at the stone: “Ah, dear friends, do not be afraid to sing the National Anthem. common answer has is one. Every truth they find touches on another until of life! How good life is when you do something good been, imitating Pilate’s they have built a complete understanding of the world. and just! Certainly we shall all rise again, certainly we skepticism, “What is Truth? Why search for something so Anything that does not fit either has to be modified and shall see each other and shall tell each other with joy and powerless, so meaningless, so being-less? After all, Christ, fixed, or it has to modify and fix their world view. Each gladness all that has happened!” We look forward to that Who claimed to witness to the Truth (John 18:37), has piece that does fit fills out their understanding of the day, when together, “we shall be like Him, for we shall see been brought before the world time and again, and it has whole. Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). judged Him unworthy to be its God and King.” Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2014! In the beginning of our pursuit, we learned from The Beginning of Eternal Wisdom Socrates that the first step is to admit, to yourself and The Truth we came to seek at Thomas Aquinas Col- For the full text and audio of Miss Seeley’s address, see others, that you don’t know everything. “Always be open to lege is not simply “the knowable things,” whatever we thomasaquinas.edu/commencement2014.

– 4 – The Class of 2014 and Senior Thesis Titles

“In Your Light We Shall See Light”: Do Animals Have Feelings Too? A Link to the Past: An Investigation of Theology’s An Exposition of the Difference An Investigation of the Role of Place in the Order of Learning Between the Emotions of Humans History in the Understanding and and Her Relation to the Human and Animals Based on Aristotelian Development of Political Science Sciences Philosophy and Modern Neuroscience Liam Thomas Atchley Jacob Alexander Angelique Paule Marie Anaheim, California Tempe, Arizona Atchley Anaheim, California

The Importance of Emotions and the Insufficiency of Mathematics The Fittingness of the Baptism The Mystery of Material Beings: in a Correct Understanding of Music at the Jordan An Investigation of Unity and Complexity Gabriel Joseph Maria Johanna Barrett Bagdazian Montreal, Quebec, Canada Rebecca Anne Bessette Santa Paula, California Upland, California

Would Aristotle Sky-Dive? The Reality Beyond Sense “Ask and You Shall Receive”: A Defense of Dangerous Activities An Investigation into the Nature Jesse Bruce Blacklock of the Causality of Prayer William Joseph Bittman Long Beach, California Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada Luke Robert Blain Albuquerque, New Mexico

Technology in the Intellectual Life: “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Render to God What Is God’s: The Place of Modern Technology An Investigation of Human Persons A Defense of the Natural Law as the in the Life of a Christian and How We Come to Know Them Foundation of the Political System

Jacob Borchers Edward Joshua Bueche Elisabeth Rae Cervantes Walnut Creek, California Shelby Township, Michigan Redding, California

On the Moral Character of Music The Place of Friendship in the On the Morality of Human Attainment of Man’s End Genetic Modification Samuel Alfred Chasuk Baton Rouge, Louisiana Danielle Claire Martin Joseph Ciskanik Chouinard New Castle, Delaware Omaha, Nebraska

Our Knowledge and Love in the “Theirs Was the Task and Nobly Is There Such a Thing as a Stoic Heart of the Trinity They Performed It”: A Defense of Christian? The Incompatibility of the United States Constitution and Epictetus’ Presentation of Stoicism Mirjana Sawabi Coccia Its Promotion of Happiness with the Christian Life Randolph, New Jersey Patrick Tobin Cross Jennifer Ragnhild Dailey Leominster, Massachusetts Orange, California

“The Time of Death Is Every Moment”: “In All Its Radiant Mystery”: The Soul of the Apostolate: A Consideration of How to Live in the The Significance of Holy Contemplation as the Present Moment Communion Under the Soul of Evangelization Species of Bread Hannah Jane DeRocher Sarah Pauline Dufresne Milford, Michigan Colleen Marie Cecilia Ventura, California Donnelly White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

– 5 – The Class of 2014 and Senior Thesis Titles

“But You Have Come…to Jesus, the Blessed Are Those Called to the “When He Saw Him, He Had Mediator of a New Covenant, and to Wedding Feast of the Lamb: Compassion”: An Exposition the Sprinkled Blood That Speaks More An Investigation of the Call to of the Necessity of Christian Witness Graciously Than Abel’s”: An Inquiry Participate in the Holy Mass for Evangelization as Seen through into How the Sacrifice and Death of the Parable of the Good Samaritan Abel Prefigure the Crucifixion of Christ Carter Morris Farrier Camas Prairie, Montana Nikolina Andrea Florez Michael Joseph Schaeffer Auburn, California Forsyth Santa Paula, California

“For Suffering, It Seems, Is Infinite, and Our Capacity Without Descartes’ Cognitional Theory: Aristotle’s Topics: Limit”: An Investigation into the A Confused Affirmation of the Two A Place for Credible Opinions Transformative Power of Emotional Kinds of Human Knowing Pain in C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces Andrew Joseph Grimes Caitlin Shea Griffith Minneapolis, Minnesota Margaret Elizabeth Idaho Falls, Idaho Gardner Brookfield, Wisconsin

A Critique of Rousseau’s “When Pride and a Little Scratching “For Me, to Live Is Christ and to Die Understanding of Human Nature Pen Have Dried and Split the Hearts is Gain”: Death in Christ as Fullness and Private Property of Men”: The Impoverishment of of Life and Completion of Joy Human Knowledge and the Role of Adrienne Marguerite Beauty in Science Ashleigh Rose Grycner Grimm Taos, New Mexico Marietta Angelina San Dimas, California Michelle Grumbine Whittier, California

What Is Government But the On the Apparent Conflict Greatest of All Reflections on “And They Were Both Naked... Between the Common Good Human Nature? An Inquiry into and Were Not Ashamed”: The and Human Rights One’s View of the Role of Sensation Nude as the Highest Material as the Fundamental Principle Object of the Visual Arts Michael Joseph Heinser Determining a Government Groton, Massachusetts Mariana Elizabeth Stephanie Alison Langley Elizabeth Lamore Savannah, Georgia New Britain, Connecticut

Essence in re and Essence in the The Severe Mercy of Sts. Augustine The Holy Cosmos: Creation, Mind: The Remote and Proximate and Faustina: Reconciling the Communication, and Natural Science Foundations for Universality “Doctor of Grace” with the “Secretary of Mercy” Mariclare Elizabeth Sarah Grace Langley Lessard Cleveland Heights, Ohio Sebastian Joseph Pasadena, California Lemmon Nevada City, California

Can Rights Suffice? “I Have, However, Cogitating “The Power of the Society Can Never An Investigation of the Natural with Myself, Seen Further. . .”: A Be Supposed to Extend Farther Than End of Government through a Comparison of William Harvey and the Common Good”: Why Religion Is Comparison of the Political Isaac Newton with Regard to Final a Common Good and How the First Theories of Locke and Aristotle Causality Amendment Protects It

Anthony Michael Rachel Marie Alec Ian MacIsaac Genevieve Logan Letteney Porterville, California Santa Paula, California East Moline, Illinois

A Defense of Agriculture as an Art Contemplation: The Source How Man Can Merit from in the Order of Nature Against of Merit of the Active and God by Nature Genetic Engineering as an Abuse Contemplative Lives Alike of the Order of Nature Aileen Rose McCarthy Sara Maria Majkowski Gallup, New Mexico Patrick Francis Mahar Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Phoenix, Arizona

– 6 – The Class of 2014 and Senior Thesis Titles

The Role of Religion in Government Life’s Work: The Relationship of In Defense of Pi: An Examination of Political Virtue to the Happiness of the Relationship Between Straight George William Mohun Every Man and Curved Santa Paula, California Christopher Matthew Joseph Francis Molander Montanaro Clovis, California Stafford, Virginia

Tenebrism in Literature: A Validation A Structural Reexamination An Investigation of the Necessity of of St. Augustine through an Analysis of the Angelic Hierarchies for Friendship for Happiness on Earth of The Death of Ivan Ilyich the Illumination of Man as a and for Achieving Salvation Cosmological Being Jesse David Moore Brian Peter Murphy Bakersfield, California Luke Aaron Moscoso Cheshire, Connecticut Denver, Colorado

Collateral Damage: Whether the The Caribou, The Citizen, and The “It’s All Part of the Plan”: A Defense of Killing of Innocents in Combat Is Saint: An Examination of Man’s St. Augustine’s Painting Analogy as a Reconcilable with Morality Natural and Supernatural End Response to the Problem of Evil

Nolan Joseph Napier Eric Michael Ogrodnick Maria Briana Pape Rancho Palos Verdes, California Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada Boise, Idaho

Charity for Each Other Is the Surest An Exposition of Newton’s Two When Mercy Seasons Justice: Way to Great Holiness: An Essay on Lunar Theories: On the Importance An Examination of Justice and Mercy The Second Great Commandment and Utility of Natural Philosophy as Attributes of the Divine

Felicity Gabrielle John Francis Pastrone Elizabeth Winfield Elizabeth Pastrone Lunenburg, Massachusetts Peddemors Lunenburg, Massachusetts Attica, Michigan

The Carpenter of Nazareth: The Stuff That Matters: Ask Not What Your Country A Consideration of Christ’s use of The Atom as an Element Can Do for You Parable as a Tool for Teaching the Divine to Fallen Man Kristin Renae Personius Andrew Joseph Pfeiffer Keller, Texas Downers Grove, Illinois Elizabeth Ann Perry Delta, British Columbia, Canada

“Am I a Beast More Complicated Don’t Worry, Be Stoic! The Cosmic Game: Angelic and Savage Than Typhon, or Am I a Causality in the Material Realm Tamer, Simpler Animal with a Share Alexander Potts in a Divine and Gentle Nature?” An Kansas City, Missouri Thomas Quackenbush Exposition of the Best and Most Oak View, California Complete Definition of Man

Abigail Lynn Quinan Manassas, Virginia

To Kiss the Earth: A Look at the Fruit Logic, Truth, and Being: An “Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra of Suffering as Seen inThe Brothers Investigation into the Principles of veneratur”: An Investigation Karamazov Reason and Knowledge into the Cosmic Liturgy with Cardinal Ratzinger Abigail Grace Retallick Zachary Taylor Missoula, Montana Reynolds Sean Patrick Joseph Alleyton, Texas Robertson Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

– 7 – The Class of 2014 and Senior Thesis Titles

An Exegesis of Prospero as a God “More Than a Requirement”: The Role of the Saints in Figure in The Tempest An Inquiry into the Affective and Man’s Salvation Voluntary Nature of Love Maria Veronica Rachel Ann Santine Russell Rebecca Elizabeth Macomb, Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Ryland San Marcos, California

“Si autem malum feceris, time; non The Human Person, Created to When Justice and Mercy Kiss: enim sine causa gladium portat” Be Loved for His Own Sake: An Examination of the A Metaphysical Consideration Compatibility of Justice and Mercy John Alexander Sauder Ponce, Puerto Rico Cristina Luisa Schardt Kimberly Madsen Trabuco Canyon, California Schmidgall Fairborn, Ohio

Subdue the Earth: A Defense of Whether It Is Self-Evident That All “The Clerk’s Tale”: An Insufficient the Importance and Necessity of Men Are Created Equal Account of How to Accept Trial Manual Labor from God Jack Joseph Schuth Sean Michael Wayzata, Minnesota Stephanie Mary Schmidgall Sebastian Portland, Oregon Rio Grande, Ohio

“There Are More Things in Heaven To Save the Appearances: A Refutation of Immanuel Kant’s and Earth, Horatio”: How Tragedy In Defense of Ptolemy’s Equant Principle That A Priori Knowledge Is Made New in Christianity Cannot Be Taken from Experience Laura Elizabeth Felicity Marie Seeley Sherwood Brian Paul Shrader Santa Paula, California Richland, Washington Spring Branch, Texas

God Writes in Pen: The Natural Law Bawdy Humor in The Wealth of Nations and the in the Heart of the Vicious Man The Canterbury Tales Pursuit of Happiness

Monica Rose Smillie James Wranovics Philip Anthony Tarr Helena, Montana Sponsler Willoughby, Ohio Tehachapi, California

“In the Beaten Way of Friendship”: “What Hast Thou That Thou “You Are Among Marvels That On the Necessity of Friendship Hast Not Received?” A Thomistic You Do Not Understand”: Among Citizens Defense of the Complete Gratuity An Investigation into the Parallel of Predestination Between the Character of Orual Aaron Hebert and the Land of Glome Thibodeaux John Paul Thurau II San Jacinto, California Phoenix, Arizona Thomas James Yank Hubertus, Wisconsin

Leibniz: God’s Knowledge Patron of the Class of 2014: of Contingent Things in Discourse on Metaphysics

Leon Isaac Zepeda St. Kentigern Alhambra, California Namesake of Andrew Kentigern Moore (’14)† Orthodox Church in America http://oca.org Orthodox Church

– 8 – Senior Reflections Staring at the Light in the Abyss

Note: The following essay is adapted from comments made occurred to me that the average student at this college has before the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors at been blessed to a greater degree than perhaps any person “We have received an education its May 16, 2014, meeting. in the world, past or present. And to say this, I believe, is which induces more essentially to not to be hyperbolic. the end of man than perhaps any By Patrick Cross (’14) As regards our upbringing, we students, for the most in the world today. In the words part, have been born into families as stable as any. As of Abraham Lincoln, ‘we have truly would like to start off by regards our home, we have been blessed to live in a land been the recipients of the choicest Ithanking you all for having which affords us unparalleled peace and opportunity bounties of heaven.’” me here today. I do not know to perfect ourselves and others. As regards our religion, if I am more honored or terri- we are the inheritors of the one true Catholic faith. And fied to be here, but I am very finally, as regards our learning, we have received an edu- back. We see a light shining in the darkness, and it is by honored. If I start trembling in cation which induces more essentially to the end of man this light that we shall move forward. the middle of my speech, it’s than perhaps any in the world today. In the words of Our skills and our interests will take us far apart from because I do that when I am Abraham Lincoln, “We have truly been the recipients of each other. Some will teach, some do business, others incredibly confident. the choicest bounties of heaven.” pursue the religious life. I, as I said earlier, intend to pur- My path to Thomas Aquinas College has not been My fellow seniors and I have, admittedly, labored little sue politics and art, and if I am lucky, combine them in unique. I am from a family of seven. My older sister and in the acquisition of these bounties. You, our families, editorial cartooning. However, in the immediate future I brother are both graduates, and my father was a gradu- and our friends have been the laborers; we the recipi- will serve as an Admissions counselor for the College, a ate of the first class on the old campus. I am originally ents. Therefore, I would like to thank you for all you have task I am honored and delighted to take up. from Massachusetts, where I spent the early years of my done for us. However, with every blessing there is a duty, Wherever our paths take us, I want to assure you, the life being homeschooled, and later on I attended a high and we are reminded of the words of our Savior, that “to Board of Governors, that we will strive to reward all the school called Trivium School. whom much is given, much is expected.” Our blessings work and sacrifice you have so nobly performed for this My love was and still is for politics and art — an have been greater than any, and so too must be our duty. college, by bringing the light of truth to those we encoun- odd duo of interests, I admit, with very little commerce This duty can be intimidating, but it is ours only ter in our life ahead. We are excited by the prospect of between them. However, my parents told me that which- because you, as instruments of the Lord, have equipped bringing truth to others, and we have the assurance not ever one of these I chose to pursue in life, Thomas Aqui- us. Friedrich Nietzsche, perhaps the antithesis of all we that we shall never meet with hardship and at times fall, nas College would give me a solid foundation on which do here, once said that when you stare into the abyss, the but that when we fall, we shall rise, and when we sit in to build and from which to draw inspiration. I had and abyss stares back into you. My fellow seniors and I stand darkness, the Lord will be a light to us. have great faith in my parents, and so I decided to attend before the rest of our lives. In front of us is a culture hos- On behalf of my class and the whole student body, I Thomas Aquinas College in the fall of 2010. tile to all we believe in. We, as it were, stare into the abyss. would once again like to thank you, the Board of Gov- As to my upbringing, my path to this college, my intel- However, we are not like Mr. Nietzsche. We have faith ernors, for all that you do. May God bless you, and may lectual capacity, my stature, and indeed my very coun- and for the last four years, with the guidance of this col- God bless Thomas Aquinas College. tenance, I am nothing more than an average Thomas lege, we have sought understanding. So as we stare into Aquinas student. However, upon reflection it has often the abyss before us, we do not see a sinister face staring Mr. Cross is from Leominster, Massachusetts.

On Our Duty and Our Gift

Note: The following essay is adapted from comments made My high school education was rigorous, and to this before the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors at day I love my teachers. Still, it was nothing but a prepara- “Here at the College I have been its May 16, 2014, meeting. tion for good SAT scores, the Advanced Placement col- found by the Truth, and now it is my lege tests, and getting good marks at the university of my duty to take it into the world. We as By Laura Sherwood (’14) choice. I had experienced nothing like a Thomas Aquinas Christians are called to form a city on College education, and because of this, my freshman year a hill, and to be a light of the world. would like to thank you for here was difficult. It took me quite a while to get used But for us graduates of Thomas Ithe opportunity to be here to the Discussion Method, to be able to understand the Aquinas College, the rules by which today and, above all, I would structure of arguments in the texts. Our readings in the we are this light and by which we like to thank you on behalf of Philosophy tutorial were so unintelligible to me that they will evangelize our culture have been all my fellow students for your might as well have been in a different language. defined by our education here.” efforts in support of the Col- But I was changing. One of my favorite parts of my lege as members of the Board freshman year was coming to realize that the world was of Governors. The education intelligible. It was so incredible for me to be able to see, Christians are called to form a city on a hill, and to be a we have received here is truly invaluable, and it would over and over again in the Natural Science tutorial, how light of the world. But for us graduates of Thomas Aqui- not be possible without your support. We will always be nature acts for an end. The exhaustive categorization of nas College, the rules by which we are this light and by praying for you and for all the benefactors of the College. syllogistic forms for arguments and the beautiful progres- which we will evangelize our culture have been defined Before I came here, I knew no graduate or current stu- sion in Euclidian geometry were truths that I just never by our education here. Next year I will be teaching geom- dent, I knew next to nothing about the program, and I would have expected. Growing up, I was immersed, with- etry at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Arizona. By could recognize St. Thomas on a holy card, but that was out even knowing it, in our post-Cartesian, cultural idea the grace of God, there will be three other ladies from just about all I knew about him. My wonderful mother that the outside world is unintelligible. The liberation my class teaching there with me, and many more of my first heard about the College when I was in middle school from that was life-changing. friends will be teaching within the Great Hearts Charter and, by the grace of God, even then I was saying I wanted Here at Thomas Aquinas College we receive the edu- School system, also in Phoenix. This coming December, to attend Thomas Aquinas College. Throughout high cation of a free man, insofar as it helps him to achieve I am marrying one of my classmates here in our beautiful school I always said the same. Then came the summer freedom. We do not pursue this education for the sake chapel. We cannot begin to thank you for making all this after my senior year, long after I had been accepted, long of rocketing ourselves into the job market. We pursue possible. after I had put the deposit down to come here, when I this education to learn about the truth that allows us to The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Mr. Cain, realized that I had never thought about why I wanted to function according to the highest parts in our soul. Such often speaks of the Latin wordmunus. It is translated come. studies not only liberate us from the falsehood that is primarily as “duty,” but also can be translated as “gift.” As Suddenly I was not pleased with myself for embarking so apparent in our culture today, but also from our own members of the Thomas Aquinas College community, we on such a great California adventure, when I could have ignorance. As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is have a duty to fight for the College, but this duty is also attended the local Catholic-but-not-really university and the way, the truth, and the life, and so we know that our our unique gift from God. Thank you so much for every- roomed with my best friend, going home whenever I studies are ultimately focused on Him. The Gospel of thing you do for the College. Let us carry out our sacred wanted. In hindsight, I know that the Lord wanted me to John records Jesus saying, “I have come that they might duty and bring the light of Christ to the world by doing receive this incredible education and therefore gave me have life, and have it more abundantly.” Here we have the everything we can to support the College. I am confident the grace of almost perfect confidence throughout the privilege of becoming free by finding, or in many cases that this duty is a gift that will bring us life more abun- whole college decision-making process, and even long being found by, the truth and abiding in it. dantly. Thank you so much. before — otherwise, I do not know that I would be here Here at the College I have been found by the Truth, today. and now it is my duty to take it into the world. We as Miss Sherwood is from Richland, Washington.

– 9 – The Soldier and the Good Samaritan An Interview with His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O’Brien

You have been Grand Master of the Equestrian Order It sounds like a great deal of coordination and coop- of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem for two years now. eration is needed. Does your experience as Arch- Would you describe the mission and works of the bishop for the Military Services come to bear in this Order? work now? While lore bases the founding of the Order of the The military in the Western world has had a great Holy Sepulchre in the Crusades, it was only in the mid- interest in justice and in making sure that rights are being 19th century that the Holy See decided to bring together protected and so forth. Americans in general tend to have a formal papal order. We now have 30,000 members in this protective mindset, but I think you get an extra taste 35 countries. of it when you see the sacrifices that Americans are mak- The main goal of the Order is personal holiness, per- ing all around the world for perfect strangers — for their sonal sanctity. We hope that the graces that come to our human dignity — and I think that coincides with what members through the Order will assist their efforts to be the Church wants, too. closer to Christ and the Church. In addition, our mission is to guard the holy places, to keep them from becoming As Archbishop for the Military Services, did you also museums. We also have a special allegiance to the Patri- minister to the families of service members? arch of Jerusalem, and we support and encourage him in Yes, and they are the ones who are suffering, some- his pastoral work. times more than the troops, because they are left alone The Latin Patriarchate has 45 schools and 60 parishes for long periods of time. A man might be gone to Afghan- and parochial centers. With the reduction in the Chris- istan and Iraq for three years, and when he returns his tian population there (it used to be that Christians were children will not even know him. Family breakups, 10 percent of the population, but now they are barely adjustments, violence, and the scars these wars are leav- sage gets across that you must respect Johnny, and you 2 percent), it is difficult to keep all of these institutions ing on the hearts and souls of our troops are going to last must respect Sally, because they are children of God. We open. It is very important, therefore, that support comes a long time. are unafraid to talk about these things at every level. We from outside to keep Christians close to their faith and have the Ten Commandments and we have the Works of You have emphasized the moral and just deployment encourage them that they are not alone. They are in a Mercy to carry out. This Catholic culture is built upon by of our troops and mechanisms of war. Would you terrible situation, being hemmed in on every side. There formal religion classes, but it starts with a great sense of speak about the Church’s “just war” theory? is a wall, as you know — 440 feet long and 30 feet high incorporation in Christ, of oneness in Jesus. At the earli- — that is separating the Palestinians from their families Our troops need to be instructed in the just war the- est days children learn the word “Jesus.” Without all of and their places of work; they cannot enter the city of ory. I gave a talk to some generals on nuclear warfare and this, what would there be? There would be, I am afraid, Jerusalem. the Church’s position on nuclear weaponry. One general what we see elsewhere: policemen on every floor and Only 5 percent of the Palestinians are Catholic, but said he had never heard of just war theory. He might have shootings. we are interested in human rights for all these poor heard the term, but no one had ever spelled it out for him. people. They feel they have no one to speak for them, so One of my greatest challenges and responsibilities You have served as rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary the Church tries to be their voice. But we leave it up to was persuading 19-year old Catholics, who instinctively in New York and of the North American College in God. We do not get involved in the politics, but we do feel that there is some conflict between the Catholic faith Rome; and in recent years, you oversaw the Holy encourage our members to come on pilgrimage to the and bearing arms, that they need not feel that way. I use See’s visitation to American seminaries. Was it a dif- Holy Sepulchre and the other holy places, to see how the example of the Good Samaritan. The story is of a fel- ficult assignment to oversee that visitation? the $13 million they contribute each year supports the low who is beaten half to death, left dying. Two pass by, Not really. We had some resistance, but some very Latin Patriarchate. We want them to see, too, the repres- and they are big shots in the religious organizations of the fine leaders were chosen for the visitation, religious and sion that is taking place. Our hope is that they will have time, and the third is a stranger, a Samaritan, who stops secular clergy. At its completion, I received a letter from an influence back home. and pours oil and bandages the wounded man. We all Cardinal Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for know the story very well. Well, I say, “What would have Catholic Education (for Institutes of Study), who over- “What would have happened a half hour happened a half hour before, if that Samaritan saw that saw the visitation, saying that he thought it had been before, if that Samaritan saw that this this man was being pummeled half to death? Would he a great success and would set a pattern for visitations man was being pummeled half to death? have a right to step back and say, ‘I will become a Samari- around the world. We have really, I think, taken a big step Would he have a right to step back and tan about a half hour after this is over,’ or would he not in priestly formation as a result of the review in the mid- say, ‘I will become a Samaritan about a have a right and obligation to step in and do what he had 50s and now again in 2005. half hour after this is over,’ or would he to do — and only what had to be done — to bring about This is not to ignore the grave problems we have been not have a right and obligation to step in justice there?” That is what the military is. dealing with in recent years, but most of those were from Military service is a Christian vocation, if only our and do what he had to do — and only the 1960s and ’70s. Very few, maybe two or three, hap- people were conscious of the potential to adopt it as what had to be done — to bring about pened this year, but I think in general we are over that a Christian vocation. That is the role of the Church, to justice there? That is what the military is.” era, partly because of the attention being given and also remind them that there need be no conflict, and that because of the education that our seminarians and our the Church considers — and always has considered — religious are getting now on marriage, on human sexual- You mentioned that while the Christian population military service to be a lofty call: an act of love. Christ ity, and in their pastoral responsibility. We do, however, has shrunk rather dramatically, the Patriarchate nev- defined Himself as one who came to serve and not to be still have a price to pay, and we must help heal wounds ertheless maintains the same number of schools. served. “No greater love than this, to give one’s life for a and take care of those who have been harmed. That will Who is enrolled? friend.” Our kids are giving their lives for perfect strang- go on for a long time. Well, a large minority of the students in the schools ers. “Peace I leave you.” Pope Francis is constantly mentioning to new priests, are Muslim. As I say, “We build bridges, not walls.” At “Be a priest and a pastor first; you are not a scholar first.” You went from that very unconventional diocese to Bethlehem University, for example, I think half the popu- I know many seminaries that are overflowing; one or two the Diocese of Baltimore, which is utterly conven- lation is Muslim. These young people graduate and are are turning people down now. Some have as many as 220 tional. Did you enjoy serving as archbishop there? grateful to the Church, and they assume high positions in seminarians, and I think 90 percent of them make a holy the West Bank, in its administration, in businesses, and so Immensely, especially because it is the premiere See hour every day. That is going to carry through with spiri- forth. These are moderate people, these are peace-loving in our country, with a great history. People are conscious tual direction. It is a whole new Church. people. The Arabs and Christians get along very well. of that Catholic history. We have 150 parishes in the Bal- Among the Christians you do not hear the word timore diocese serving about 500,000 people. Even as the world seems to descend to ever-lower “Catholic,” or “Protestant,” or “Orthodox.” It is “Chris- depths, you see the Church coming to life again? tian.” We are all Christians, and we are all in this together. One of your main efforts was to improve enrollment Well, yes. Look at this college. I am overwhelmed at When we say that barely 2 percent of the population is at the Catholic schools of Baltimore. What is so the spirit here and the accomplishments of your alumni, Christian, we are talking about all the Christian denomi- important about Catholic education? at the vision of your founders. I can see that that vision nations together, but I think our Catholic community Well, the education landscape is a wasteland other- has been carried through for 40 years now. It is great to takes the lead in many ways. The $13 million that the wise. I spoke in my Commencement Address about the see that similar enthusiasm and vision carried on through Holy Sepulchre gives to the Patriarch is a fraction, prob- importance of a biblical and a Christian outlook on life, the generations. Your Board of Governors here certainly ably a half or so, of all the money raised for and by Catho- and the role of the natural law, founded in the human has kept that, and I hope this college continues to attract lic institutions in the Holy Land. person. (See page 3.) In our Catholic schools, the mes- Board members like that for years to come.

– 10 – Building the Civilization of Love What’s Next for the Class of 2014

or their class quotation members of Journalism & Media to inspire others, Mr. Mahar is enrolling Fthe Class of 2014 chose the words of This summerElisabeth Cervantes in the classical architecture program at one the Church’s newest saints, Pope St. has an internship for the editorial page of the University of Notre Dame, where he John Paul II, offered at Toronto’s World the San Diego Union Tribune. “Because in will study alongside classmate Anthony Youth Day in 2002: “The future is in your journalism there is such a wide range of Letteney. hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting topics you have to cover, it is good to have Medicine to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, the broad background that the College’s With medical school as his objective, of working with Him in the building of the curriculum provides,” she says. Felicity Martin Ciskanik is taking perquisite civilization of love.” Seeley will take some writing classes, courses at the University of Delaware. It is clear that the Class of 2014 has with long-term ambitions to craft short At the wedding of Danielle (Chouinard) Abigail Quinan and Abigail Retallick taken the late Holy Father’s message stories, opinion pieces, and novels. and John Sauder with the celebrant, both plan to go to nursing school, but first to heart. Its members are committed, College Chaplain Rev. Cornelius M. Miss Quinan will spend a year as a medi- whether in the marketplace, in the home, Arts & Entertainment Buckley, S.J. cal assistant, and Miss Retallick is travel- in the classroom, or in the media, to shar- Combining his artistic talents with computer skills he acquired while work- ing to Brazil for a six-month missionary ing the fruits of their liberal education in Dallas. Samuel Chasuk will be a high ing in the College’s IT department for trip. Aileen McCarthy is also heading to and the gifts of their faith. They will be school teacher at John Paul the Great his Student Scholarship job, Gabriel the mission fields — in Córdoba, Argen- the educators and architects, the scien- Academy in Lafayette, Louisiana.Cait - Bagdazian has set his sights on a career tina, where she will work with nuns in a tists and physicians, the religious and lay lin Griffith will teach Euclid, philosophy, in graphic design. He is an IT adminis- Catholic hospital. people who, working as members of the literature, “and maybe some history” at trator at Villanova Preparatory School Body of Christ, will help to build the civi- the newly founded St. Thérèse Classical National Service & Public Safety in Ojai, and takes design classes on the lization of love. Academy in Santa Barbara, California. Eric Ogrodnick will work construc- side. “The College has helped me appre- Maria Pape seeks to undergo training in tion for a year in North Dakota to pay off Science, Technology, Engineering & ciate beauty a lot more, how important the Montessori method of instruction. his student loans and get into top physi- Mathematics it is to every single person,” he observes. Rachel Santine will be teaching Latin, cal condition before joining the Canadian When Luke Blain first arrived at the An accomplished soloist, Colleen Don- ancient history, and literature for Mother Army. With an eye toward “contributing to College, he never imagined pursuing a nelly will attend the University of British of Divine Grace School. the common good,” Aaron Thibodeaux career that had anything to do with math- Columbia’s School of Music, where she seeks a career in law enforcement. ematics. “I didn’t like math very much in will concentrate in opera performance. Marriage high school,” he says. “But seeing the pro- Angelique Atchley plans to pursue a “One of the things that helped prepare Philosophy and Theology gression of mathematical discoveries by master’s of music degree in voice. Patrick us for marriage was seeing the example Given the emphasis on philosophy and Newton, Kepler, and Ptolemy really made Cross will spend the next year working of the College’s tutors and their families,” theology in the College’s curriculum, it is the subject come alive.” He will tutor stu- in the College’s Admissions Department, says John Sauder, who wed Danielle no surprise that, each year, at least a few dents in math and science in Northern but ultimately hopes to combine his affin- (Chouinard) one week after Commence- graduates go on to study these disciplines California while completing prerequisite ity for art with his penchant for politics as ment in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trin- at the graduate level. “The program here courses for graduate school in mathemat- an editorial cartoonist. ity Chapel. The next day there were two made me fall in love with theology, know- ics or physics. Jacob Borchers is pre- more weddings: Jennifer (Dailey) mar- ing that we can come to understand God paring for graduate studies in computer Education ried Luke Seeley (’12), and Adrienne and his works better,” saysSean Robert- Every year, education is the most science. Joseph Montanaro is the new IT (Grimm) wed Peter LaFave (’13). The son, who is pursuing graduate studies at popular career choice among the Col- administrator for Mother of Divine Grace nuptials continued in July, with the union Ave Maria University. Andrew Grimes lege’s graduates, and 2014 is no exception. School in Ojai, California. of Rebecca (Bessette) and Thomas will study philosophy at the University of “My time at Thomas Aquinas College has Quackenbush as well as that of Sarah St. Thomas in Houston.Jacob Alexander showed me what a gift a good teacher can Public Policy (Langley) and Patrick Wood. Another and Luke Moscoso are considering grad- be, and it has prepared us all to be excel- Looking to gain a deeper understand- Class of 2014 wedding is scheduled for uate programs, in philosophy and theol- lent teachers,” says Laura Sherwood, ing of citizenship and statecraft,Zachary December. ogy, respectively, with hopes of one day Reynolds will pursue a master’s degree at who will be teaching geometry at St. teaching college students or seminarians. Mary’s High School in Phoenix. Joining Religious Life the Hillsdale Graduate School of States- Psychology her as members of the St. Mary’s faculty Although several members of the manship, after which he intends go to law With the aim of aiding families, Cris- are Marietta Grumbine (natural sci- Class of 2014 are discerning vocations school and work in the judiciary. Nolan tina Schardt is undertaking graduate ence), Mariclare Lessard (literature and to the priesthood or the religious life, Napier will study statecraft and interna- studies at the Institute for the Psycho- music), and Rebecca Ryland (theology only one has thus far made firm plans to tional affairs at the Institute of World Poli- logical Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. and speech/debate). answer that call. Shortly after graduation tics in Washington, D.C. Ashleigh Grycner also intends to study The Class of 2014 will be well repre- Maria Barrett paid a visit to a Domini- psychology, but will first take four months sented in Phoenix, as several other mem- can monastery she hopes to enter next to work on an organic farm, teaching chil- bers have accepted positions at the city’s year. Miss Barrett credits the serene life dren about agriculture and conservation. rapidly expanding consortium of Great of the College with allowing her to hear Hearts charter academies: Mirjana Coc- God’s voice more clearly. “Here, things … and More! cia, Sara Majkowski, and Elizabeth are slower, so you are able to think more While at the College Sean Schmid- Perry will be teachers at Great Hearts ele- deeply and pray more.” gall worked part-time for a neighboring ranch, where he developed a passion for mentary schools, and Alec MacIsaac will Law teach drama, literature, and composition agriculture. So this native of Portland, “Developing your critical thinking, as at the high school level. Also heading to Oregon, is venturing to Oklahoma, with we do at the College, helps you be exact Liam Atchley, William Bittman, and Phoenix is Hannah DeRocher, who will the goal of starting his own cattle ranch. Michael Forsyth and to the point in presenting an argu- teach history at St. Thomas the Apostle Michael Heinser is serving as an EMT ment,” says Leon Zepeda, who plans Roman Catholic Elementary School. for his local fire department while he to spend a year working as a paralegal at Business Among those working as educators awaits a response to his application for air- The Alvarez Firm — a Camarillo, Cali- While a student at the College, elsewhere are Thomas Quackenbush, traffic-controller school.Sarah Dufresne fornia-based legal company led by fellow Michael Forsyth had a summer intern- who will teach biology and chemistry at will remain on campus for a year as the alumnus Justin Alvarez (’97) — before ship with the SGB-NIA insurance broker- St. Monica Academy in Pasadena. Andrea College’s resident assistant, before join- applying to law school. John Sauder is age in Woodland Hills, California, that Florez will oversee Bricks for Kids, an ing Justice for All in Wichita, Kansas, to entering the Creighton University School has evolved into a full-time position. “In education program in Honolulu, Hawaii, train college students in prolife apolo- of Law. business, there’s a lot of interaction, nego- that uses Lego blocks to teach children getics. Danielle (Chouinard) Sauder is tiation, and working together to come to about physics, architecture, engineering, Architecture working for Adoremus Books in Omaha, solutions,” he says. “That’s what we do and robotics. Adrienne (Grimm) LaFave “Being on this campus, you see how Nebraska. Maria Russell seeks to move every day in the classroom at the College.” is working as a receptionist for Mother of the structures of the buildings really ele- to England to earn a master’s degree in lit- Liam Atchley and William Bittman plan Divine Grace School. Kristin Personius vate the mind to the intellectual life; they erature. “Literature has always appealed to to spend the next year working and apply- is spending the summer teaching children elevate men to be more virtuous and to me,” she says, “because of the way it com- ing to MBA programs. at the Institute of Reading Development be better,” saysPatrick Mahar. Hoping municates truth through beauty.”

– 11 – “The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love.” – Pope St. John Paul II Vigil Address, 17th Annual World Youth Day Toronto, 2002

Members of the Class of 2014 dedicated this year’s Commence- ment ceremony to their friend and classmate, Andrew Kentigern Moore. “Kent” died in the summer of 2012 while walking across the country praying for the unborn. “He spent his life defending the innocents, and gave up his life for their sake,” wrote the seniors in the Commencement program. “May he rest in peace.”

Andrew Kentigern Moore (’14) 1992 – 2012

“Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.” — Matthew 25:40

Thomas Aquinas College Aquinas Thomas 10,000 Ojai Road CA 93060-9622 Paula, Santa A DDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Commencement 2014 Keepsakes

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