Austin Prep Celebrates Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement for the Class of 2025

Austin Prep celebrated the Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement for the Class of 2025 today, Friday, May 16th on Father Seymour Field.  Friends, family, faculty, staff, Austin Prep Board of Trustees and 131 graduates came together for Mass and the conferring of diplomas for members of the Class of 2025. A full program for the Baccalaureate Liturgy can be found here.

In his homily, Celebrant Rev. Art Johnson, O.S.A., who was one of Austin Prep's founding fathers when the school welcomed students in 1963, drew connections between the historic election a week ago of Pope Leo XIV – an Augustinian Friar – and the experiences of the students in the Class of 2025. "As an Austin Prep student, you have learned some of the same skills that has made Pope Leo successful, what has made him so special." Fr. Johnson said. "He paid attention to his faith and his Augustinian heritage, and those words, veritas, unitas, and caritas. He used the same teachings of St. Augustine that you learned about here at Austin Prep."

"I hope you just don't remember those words: veritas, unitas, and caritas. They were Pope Leo's pathway to success, and they can be part of your success, too."

Despite Fr. Art's long history with Austin Prep, and his presence at many significant milestone events on campus over the years, the Baccalaureate Liturgy was remarkably the first graduation mass he celebrated in his over 60 year affiliation with the School. 

Bruce McGinley, Class of 2025 Salutatorian, focused on the process of trial and error and the importance of being able to make a mistake while continuing with the task at hand by trying something new. "It is a mindset to be harnessed. It's the ability to embrace uncertainty, to take risks, and to understand that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather a crucial part of it," Bruce said. "Every mistake, every setback, every rejection is just another step toward something greater."

Class of 2025 Valedictorian, James Bergeron, had a similar reflection, focusing on the journey, and not necessarily always on results.  "Results are not defined by memories, but defined by the path you took to reach them," James said. "We have all gone through an amazing journey together at this school, and in the process, obtained the knowledge, the character, and the work ethic to be exceptional individuals."

While addressing the graduates, Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D. P’22, ’23, ’24, '27, like Fr. Art, took the opportunity to reflect on the significance of Pope Leo's election.

"The election of Pope Leo XIV roughly coincides with the graduation of Austin Prep’s Class of 2025 – you are the next regiment of the Augustinian cavalry who will continue their journey beyond 101 Willow Street – with veritas, unitas, and caritas, imprinted on your hearts – ready to make the world more just using Augustinian values as your moral compass. Like Pope Leo, you are sons and daughters of St. Augustine," Dr. Hickey said.

"In the same way that Pope Leo’s formation as an Augustinian will inspire his journey and his leadership as our Holy Father, I am beyond confident the Augustinian charism will guide you in the right ways in the days ahead."

The event also included remarks from Austin Prep Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Mr. Thomas Flynn '83. "As an alumnus, I can tell you from experience that the lessons you’ve learned at Austin Prep will stay for a lifetime. Some of those lessons might have been hard to understand in the moment, like the times you might have felt overwhelmed or unsure, but trust me when I tell you that they have shaped you into the strong, capable individuals that you are today," Mr. Flynn said.

"The education that you have received here, at the school that has given so much to me, has prepared you for more than just the next step of a journey, Austin Prep has prepared you to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impression on the world."

Mr. Flynn also congratulated the Class of 2025 for being accepted to some of the top colleges and universities in the United States, and for being awarded over $45 million in scholarships.