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The day began with the customary Mass of the Holy Spirit at which Bishop Morlino was the principal celebrant and homilist. The College Choir sang a Missa Brevis of Hans Leo Hassler, the late 16th-Century composer. In his sermon, noting that it is especially the work of lay men and women to "help save the world," Bishop Morlino urged students to study well so as to be able to defend and promote the truths of the natural law effectively in the public square. He went on to exhort them that even more important is their growth in holiness through the practice of obedience. (For the full text of Bishop Morlino's homily, click here.) Following Mass, faculty and members of the College's governing board processed into St. Joseph Commons in academic regalia and took their places before the student body. After an invocation by Rev. Cornelius Buckley, Chaplain and Assistant Dean for Religious Affairs, and a welcome from Mr. Jon Daly, Director of Admissions, 102 new freshman were each called by name to come forward, greet President Dillon and Bishop Morlino, and officially register as members of the Class of 2011 with the College's registrar, Mr. Sean Collins, by signing their names in the College's registry.
During the ceremony, the College's new tutor, Dr. Anthony Andres, made a Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity, as the Holy Father desires of all Catholic teachers. (For the interview with Dr. Andres, click here.) Dr. Dillon then addressed the student body about the life they had chosen to undertake at the College, a life rooted in the love of wisdom and ordered to virtue, especially intellectual virtue. "Such a life is not easy," he said, "for it demands discipline and self-denial, but it is a life of genuine freedom and self-direction, rather than one of slavery to the passions; and it is the kind of life that engenders true happiness." (For Dr. Dillon's entire talk, click here.) Following Dr. Dillon's remarks, Bishop Morlino spoke to the students, telling them that there were many bishops across the country who supported the College and its students. He said, "You are exactly who we want; you are exactly the people we need. You are being formed into exactly the kind of lay Christian faithful that will take up the job of being the instrument by which the Lord saves the world." (For Bishop Morlino's complete remarks, click here.) Dr. Dillon then officially opened the 2007-2008 academic year to a roar of applause from the students. Freshman Class
This year's freshman class is remarkable on a number of accounts. First, it was filled earlier than any class in the College's history. As a result, a lengthy waiting list was formed from which a number of students have already been accepted for the 2008-2009 academic year. The increased interest in the College is in part the result of the success of the College's High School Summer Great Books Program: more than 50% of this incoming freshman class were participants in that program. (For more on the summer program, click here.) Adding to that, is the increasingly wide-spread reputation for excellence that the College enjoys. Moreover, there are 17 children of alumni, some coming from as far away as Austria. Among the freshmen are eight students from St. Augustine Academy in nearby Ventura, California, a 4th-12th grade private, Catholic school offering a classical education. It was founded by a group of parents in 1994, some of whom are graduates or officials of Thomas Aquinas College; and its current headmaster, Mr. Michael Van Hecke ('86), is a also a graduate of the College. Though there are some high schools across the country and in Canada that regularly send students to the College, St. Augustine Academy now holds the record for the highest number in one year.
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Fall 2007 |
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