New England
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August 19, 2023
On the heels of yesterday’s arrival, the 54 newest students of Thomas Aquinas College, New England, matriculated on Saturday — formally opening the College’s 53rd academic year — and the fifth on the Northfield, Massachusetts, campus.
The morning began with a Mass of the Holy Spirit in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel. Serving as the principal celebrant and homilist was Rev. Miguel (Gaspar ’08) Batres, O.Praem, an alumnus priest from St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, California, joined at the altar by the campus’s two chaplains, Rev. Greg Markey and Rev. Carlos Viego.
In his homily, Fr. Miguel implored members of the Class of 2027 to rely upon the grace of God so that they make the most of their next four years. “Christ, the light of the world, He who is the way, the truth and the life, the Word made flesh, God, has called you today to give you a mission: to know, love, and serve him in a very particular way by all that is offered to you here at Thomas Aquinas College,” he said. “Not only does He give you all the graces that you need to accomplish this task, but He gives you the freedom to do it out of love, the very love He has shown you.”
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After Mass, the incoming freshmen, members of the faculty, and other students reconvened in the Moody Auditorium. To begin the Matriculation ceremony, the College welcomed three new members of the New England teaching faculty: tutors Meghan Duke, Joshua Lo, and Rodrigo Ribeiro. With Fr. Markey leading them, all three educators made the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity, as do all new Catholic members of the College’s teaching faculty.
Then came the Matriculation itself, as — one by one — the members of the Class of 2027 signed their names to the College’s registry. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. O’Reilly proclaimed the start of the College’s 53rd academic year, to which students responded with loud applause. Members of the faculty and Board of Governors then processed out of the auditorium as all sang “Immaculate Mary,” in joyful anticipation of the new year, now at hand.
