Archbishop Nelson J. Perez
Read the full story Address by Archbishop Nelson J. Perez At the Villanova University graduation ceremony on May 17, he I gave a speech at the graduation ceremony. Please see the photos from the event here.
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“Hello, Wildcats! Come support the Class of 2024!”
I am so pleased to join you in celebrating today and am so honored and thrilled to receive this degree. [bestowed upon me] By Villanova University.
I thank Father Peter Donohue and the Board of Trustees for this recognition, but it is not my achievement alone.
I share this with the entire Catholic Church in Philadelphia — it is a testament to the incredible work done every day by tens of thousands of people who help those most in need and educate our young people. [people]They are people who work for the well-being of others, as what Pope Francis calls “missionary disciples.”
“If it weren’t for the incredible, hard-working people who serve the mission of the Church in Philadelphia and around the world, there would be little need for an archbishop, and little work to do. So this honorary degree belongs to all.”
I appreciate the opportunity to exchange a few words with you all. I know I stand between this and the moment you have all been waiting for, so I will keep it brief.
Hope and inspiration are not just beautiful words or sentiments. They are real, tangible qualities that drive us to create a better world.
We live in complex and difficult times, our world desperately in need of righteous action, good actions inspired by a deep desire to realize a better word, a better lie, for ourselves and for all those God has placed around us.
Humanity is hungry for hope and inspiration. Where can we find it? It’s not necessarily in this speech or this graduation speech, because words alone are hollow. It’s in our actions and our choices, and the actions and choices of those around us. It comes from the gifts of hope and inspiration that well up from deep within our hearts.
Luckily, we don’t have to look far, because I can’t think of anyone more inspiring and hopeful than the Class of 2024 sitting before us.
Graduates, you are resilient. I want you to take these words to heart. You are resilient. In fact, you are one of the most resilient generations of young people I have ever seen.
First, just as many of you were preparing to celebrate the end of your high school careers, the COVID-19 pandemic clamped down on our world and upended all of the normal ways of life we had taken for granted.
You have adapted to new ways of living and learning with grace, perseverance and ingenuity, and it is thanks to them that one day we will emerge from this health crisis and, together, begin to navigate a new normal.
Unfortunately, this meant that the graduation ceremonies and celebrations we had planned four years ago had to be sacrificed for the greater good of society. I know this has been difficult for you and your families.
So today is a doubly important day, and I think you will all be making up for the celebrations lost in the past.
You have also faced sharp political divisions, an inflationary economic roller coaster, and social tensions at home and abroad unlike anything we’ve seen in decades.
Any one of these challenges would be daunting, and you, our graduates, are already facing them all at a young age.
You have responded with strength and resilience, not just individually but collectively, and from what I have seen, your collective response has been inspiring and gives me hope.
That’s wonderful! That’s inspiring! That’s real Augustinian charism at work in your lives!
You embody the Villanova University motto. “Truth, unity, compassion” For every single day you are building a world of truth, unity and love.
Do you know where that burning desire to encourage others comes from? Do you know the source of your inner voice that inspires you?
It’s not you alone. It’s not any of us alone. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit working in you, through you, and sometimes against you. That fire comes from there, and when we see it burning in your heart, we all are proud of you.
Know that the voice and power of the Spirit of God never leaves you. Always let it in. It is the same voice that inspired St. Augustine of Hippo centuries ago when he picked up the Bible to know the love of God, and said, “Tolle lege! Tolle lege!”
During your time here, you have been part of the rich Augustinian educational tradition, and as soon-to-be graduates you will assume the responsibility of stewarding that tradition throughout your lives.
Practice truth, unity and love in all things, it’s not always easy but life has already taught you that and I believe you will succeed.
You are all receiving well-deserved awards and honors today because of all your hard work, but it is not the result of your efforts alone.
Over the years, you have been educated, nurtured and supported by your teachers, coaches, parents, family, friends, priests and religious. They are the ones who got you here today. Without them, you would not be here. They have worked hard and sacrificed to get you to this point. So stand up and join me in applauding them.
Just as the spirit of God never leaves you, so too will the examples and wisdom of those we just recognized always be with you. The gifts they shared with you are an indelible part of who you are now.
As the celebrations come to an end and you embark on a new chapter in your life, it’s natural to feel anxious and frustrated with the situation around you – that’s natural and anyone who’s been in your position has felt the same way.
My generation did the best we could with the circumstances and the world we inherited. It wasn’t perfect then, and it isn’t perfect now. The only perfect world is in heaven.
Pope Francis calls you not the future, but God’s present, working for a better world with the same passion that brought you here today. In a letter to young people like you around the world, Pope Francis wrote: “Dear young people, please, don’t be a bystander in life. Get involved. Jesus was not a bystander. He was involved. Don’t isolate yourself, but immerse yourself in the realities of life, just as Jesus did.”
Another beautiful message of love that Jesus sends to the world is a call to you and me to take initiative, to engage, to work together, to be fruitful and to be joyful.
I would like to conclude today with a quote from the Bible found in the Letter to the Philippians: [Philippians 4:4-13]And he said,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice!”
Your kindness should be known to all, for the Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any virtuous or praiseworthy thing, think about these things. Whatever you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me, always do as you do them, and the God of peace will be with you.”
“St. Augustine and St. Thomas of Villanova, please pray for us! Congratulations and make us proud!”
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Watch a replay of Villanova University’s graduation ceremony here.
