走向和解与和谐
枢机主教周星驰，S.J., who as bishop of Hong Kong has advocated a rapprochement between the Vatican and China, implored the 电子游戏软件 Class of 2024 to strive for unity and understanding in a time of division and discord.
“We must start with the promotion of dialogue and constructive action among parties of different stances, 谨慎而有意义,” he told the Alumni Stadium audience at BC's 148th Commencement Exercises on May 20, urging them to reject the narrative which holds that only one side can be right and dominant and instead work toward a commonly desirable future—one which “you and your peers are going to construct together with the inclusive love of God in your discernment, 超越了政治的边界, 信仰, 信仰, 值, 经济体, 种族, 和现实.
“亲爱的毕业生, it is not too early to contemplate how you are going to construct your future together, 它会是什么样子,枢机主教说, who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his “commitment to the Catholic 信仰 as a means to inspire and unite.”
毕业典礼之后, 4,488 members of the Class of 2024 received their undergraduate and graduate degrees at separate
校园内举行各种仪式.
从左至右:Dana Barros, 玛丽的队长, 詹姆斯·奥康奈尔, 不列颠哥伦比亚省董事会主席约翰·菲什, 波士顿辅理主教克里斯蒂亚诺. Borro巴博萨. 就座:红衣主教周星驰，S.J.大学校长威廉. 莱希,年代.J., Sister Maria Teresa de Loera Lopez (图片来源:Lee Pellegrini)
除了周主教, the University presented honorary degrees to: former BC and pro basketball player turned entrepreneur Dana Barros, 89年; 玛丽亚·特蕾莎·德·洛埃拉·洛佩兹修女，M.S. ’19, a beloved servant of the poor in Mexico; Boston Health Care for the Homeless President 詹姆斯·奥康奈尔; and Boston Public Schools Superintendent 玛丽的队长. 在这里阅读学位引文.
In his Commencement greeting大学校长威廉. 莱希,年代.J., praised the Class of 2024: “电子游戏软件 is a better place because of them, 尤其是它们的能量, 善, 和慷慨. They started amid the challenges of COVID-19 and persevered; we remember and are grateful.”
为周一岳枢机的讲话埋下伏笔. 莱希 pointed to global flashpoints such as Ukraine, 加沙, 海地, and Sudan as indicating the need for “people of intelligence, 信仰, and commitment to work for the good of society, 帮助根除种族歧视, 社会, 经济不平等, 并努力消除贫困, 文盲, 与偏见》.”
Fr. 莱希 gave his customary invitation for family and 朋友 of the graduates to stand so that the Class of 2024 and others in Alumni Stadium could thank them with a round of applause “and a quiet prayer.” He also cited the valuable role of BC faculty and staff and the “generous gifts of time, 建议, and financial resources from 电子游戏软件 alumni, 朋友, and benefactors” in the graduates’ success at the Heights.
Finnegan Award winner Francis (Fran) Hodgens of the Carroll School of Management, flanked by Fr. 莱希, at left, and Board of Trustees chair John Fish. (李Pellegrini)
Cardinal Chow—who praised BC for “being bold enough to hold a live Commencement” given recent tensions on college campuses—shared five learnings he said could serve as the basis for fostering reconciliation and harmony in a divided world: “a preferential option for unity, not uniformity”; “collaboration with love so as to give hope”; “expect and respect differences out of love”; “be a bridge-builder”; and “be your own winner.”
He touched on his own efforts at bridge-building between the Catholic Church in mainland China and the universal Church, during his visit to Beijing last year and other dioceses last month. Although there were attempts to “package these trips with a political wrapper,他说, the main objectives were to promote dialogue and 朋友hips, and look for opportunities to collaborate while supporting each other’s pastoral endeavors.
“One insight that I have gained is that everyone, no matter whether she or he is an important official or not, 想要连接吗, 以真诚的尊重对待, 饶有兴趣地听着. I am never good at small talk, but I am learning to listen with empathy. With this, we can relate to each other with openness for mutual development.”
教授essor of Economics Joseph Quinn receives the Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J.,奖. (李Pellegrini)
Cardinal Chow also urged graduates to look beyond a culture that emphasizes winner-take-all competition.“而不是与他人竞争, we can work hard on bettering our past selves, 比昨天的我们更好, 一个月, 一年, 或者十年前. Am I noticeably or sufficiently better in the endeavor than where I was last? So, if the focus of competition is on ourselves, 我们有能力帮助彼此进步, 这样就不会有人吃亏, which means we can become winners in our own right.”He added, “This is what I have understood from Jesuit education. I believe you and we are the ones who can work together, and with God, to make all things new.”
Also at the ceremony, Francis (Fran) Hodgens 获得2024年爱德华·H. 芬尼根的.J.,奖 as the graduating senior who best exemplifies the University’s motto, “永远追求卓越”, 经济学教授约瑟夫·奎因, 德高望重的老师, 导师, and colleague who has held key leadership positions at 电子游戏软件, was presented with the Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J.,奖 in recognition of his distinguished career and significant role in advancing the University’s mission.