To begin the ceremony, the College welcomed the California faculty’s newest tutors, Dr. Sarah Kaiser (’02) and Dr. John Finley (’99). Head Chaplain Rev. Robert Marczewski then led the educators in proclaiming the Oath of Fidelity and the Profession of Faith, as do all new Catholic members of the College’s teaching faculty.
Once the newly initiated tutors had taken their seats, Dr. Paul J. O’Reilly, president of Thomas Aquinas College, took to the podium to address the freshmen on what distinguishes the College’s academic program: its commitment to order, both in its curriculum and through the Discussion Method. “Truth makes you free because you are no longer bound to accept opinions, either your own or others. Instead, you know what is true, you have made it your own,” he said. “The texts we read at Thomas Aquinas College, the authors who teach, the tutors who guide, and the unique method by which we discuss, all contribute, ultimately, to that freedom.”
Director of Admissions Jonathan Daly then invited each of the 104 students of the California Class of 2027 forward to sign their names in the College’s official student registry, formally enrolling as students of Thomas Aquinas College. When all had signed, alumnus priest Rev. John Winkowitsch, O.P. (’04), offered some guidance to the new freshmen. “Love to learn, ignore your grades, and learn to love, and then I promise Thomas Aquinas College will radically change your life,” the priest said before offering a final blessing to end the ceremony.
While, on a normal Matriculation day, the afternoon is filled with little more than orientation meetings for the new and returning students, this was not a normal Matriculation day. Late in the morning, Ventura County building inspectors declared Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel safe to re-open. At 4:30 p.m., with sunshine brightening the campus after two days of heavy rainfall, students and faculty gathered for a delayed Mass of the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting on the eve of the academic year at a school known for its devotion to seeking truth, Fr. Winkowitsch exhorted the students to be humble. “Seek humility,” he said. “Embrace the Gifts of the Holy Spirit by living in a state of Sanctifying Grace, and then, as Jesus concludes our Gospel, ‘The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name — He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you’” (John 14:26).
