University community joins in Baccalaureate Mass to celebrate Class of 2022

Saint Leo University students ended their time at the university as they started it—in prayer and thanksgiving. On Friday, May 13, the university community came together to celebrate Baccalaureate Mass in the Marion Bowman Activities Center at University Campus in St. Leo, FL.

Presiding was the Right Reverend Isaac Camacho, OSB, abbot of Saint Leo Abbey. Concelebrants were Reverend Randall Meissen, university chaplain and director of University Ministry, and Reverend Lucius Amarillas, OSB, prior of Saint Leo Abbey. Camacho graduated from Saint Leo in 1995 and Amarillas earned degrees from Saint Leo in 2018 and 2019. Visiting concelebrants joined in the celebration, including Reverend Felix Forgap Nkafu, who earned a Master of Business Administration: Human Resource Management degree.

“How beautiful it is to be grateful for big and small accomplishments,” said Camacho, addressing the graduates.

He told them, “You always had someone behind you pushing you to do good, pushing you to be the best you can be. You will apply all that you have learned here.”

Brother Apollo Rodriguez, OSB, and a 2019 graduate, served as cantor for the Mass, while Dr. Cynthia Selph, assistant professor of music and music ministry, directed the musicians including student-singers, and Christine Honein and Dr. Chul Young Kim, adjunct voice instructors. The Brass Menagerie was directed by Ken Watts.

Hannah Wiand, who graduated cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in psychology: clinical counseling and religion, presented the first reading, Acts 13:26. Caitlin Markey presented the prayers of the faithful. Markey graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice: criminalistics.

Presenting the gifts at the Baccalaureate Mass were Kennedy Messina, a member of the women’s soccer team who graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in marketing, and Saint Leo University Board of Trustees chair John View, a member of the Class of 1972.

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