Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement for the Class of 2026

Austin Prep celebrated the Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement for the Class of 2026 on Thursday, May 14 in Richard J. Meelia ’67 Hall. Friends, family, faculty, staff, Austin Prep Board of Trustees and 149 graduates came together for Mass and the conferring of diplomas for members of the Class of 2026.  A full program for the Baccalaureate Liturgy can be found here.

In his homily, celebrant Most Reverend Cristiano Barbosa, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston pointed out the significance of celebrating a commencement on Ascension Thursday. "What Jesus taught us is the importance of friendship in our lives. This is where you found these friendships, but some may think that after high school these things go away," Bishop Barbosa said. "The Lord also became your friend and remains close to us. He is teaching us that this is what brings joy to all of us. And even on the day he said goodbye to his disciples, his closest friends, he promised them, 'I will be with you always.'"

"These years helped form who you are, but the years to come will do more. You always bring what you learned here to your life, but understand the one who formed you, the one who created you out of love, he wants to remain with you," Bishop Barbosa added.

It was a return visit to Austin Prep for Bishop Barbosa, as he served as the celebrant at the 2024 Blue Mass in honor of first responders.

Steven Reyes, Class of 2026 Salutatorian, referenced Austin Prep’s longtime choir director and math teacher, Mr. Steven Williams, who passed away in April 2025. “Mr. Williams was one of the best teachers I’ve known, and years ago, while we were learning the song 'Long Time Ago' during choir rehearsal, he told us that ‘everything is transitory, and everything is eventual.’ I don't remember where he got that quote, but it has stuck with me ever since. If everything is transitory, or fleeting, then our time at school must be as well. If everything is eventual, then future joys must be as well.”

Steven will attend Johns Hopkins University this fall.

Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Jaden Cruz, had a similar reflection, focusing on the journey, a central concept of the Austin Prep experience. “Through thousands of small decisions and ordinary moments that didn’t seem important at the time, all of us ended up here together,” Jaden said. “And now that we are here, what matters most is what we carry forward. Even though tonight is our last night as students here, we will always take pieces of Austin Prep with us: the resilience we built here, the lessons that grounded us, and the people who believed in us before we believed in ourselves.”

“Take the time to appreciate the people and the moments we love before time itself turns them all into memories," Jaden added.

Jaden will attend Boston University this fall.

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

“One year ago this week, the Church celebrated the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian pope,” Dr. Hickey said. “Pope Leo’s life is grounded in the same Augustinian tradition that shaped your formation and our way of life here at Austin Prep. Like Pope Leo, you have been formed in veritas, unitas, and caritas and you are sons and daughters of St. Augustine.”

“Through it all, Austin Prep prepared you not just for success, but for the journey ahead by teaching you to listen to what St. Augustine called the Inner Teacher," Dr. Hickey added. "Austin Prep Class of 2026, may that journey be long, may it be happy, fulfilling, and healthy, and may it lead you to that eternal moment when your heart is no longer restless and you are resting in the love of God."

The Mass and Commencement ceremony, held indoors for the first time since 2019 as a result of inclement weather, also included remarks from Austin Prep Board of Trustees Chair, Mr. Daniel Bouchard P’10, ’14, ’15. 

“This day is one of gratitude. To your families, friends, teachers, and mentors: thank you for the encouragement, sacrifice, and support that made this moment possible,” Bouchard said. “As a parent of three Austin Prep alumni, I know how meaningful and proud this day is for your families as well. What stands out most about Austin Prep is the strength of its community and its commitment to forming young people of character. That spirit is reflected in the achievements of this class – in academics, athletics, the arts, and service – and in the dedication of faculty and staff who see their work as a calling.”

Mr. Bouchard also congratulated the Class of 2026 for being accepted to some of the top colleges and universities in the United States, and for being awarded over $58 million in scholarships.

“Your accomplishments are impressive, but even more impressive is the character you have developed as thoughtful, compassionate, and purposeful young leaders,” Bouchard said.