Baccalaureate Mass Celebrates, Blesses Saint Leo’s Class of 2025

It is fitting that students begin and end their academic journeys at the University in prayer. The new school year begins with Mass of the Holy Spirit, and the graduates are celebrated and blessed at the annual Baccalaureate Mass.

The Class of 2025 was recognized and honored on May 6 with a Mass celebrated by fellow alumnus, Father Lucius Amarillas ’18, ’19, OSB. 

The concelebrants of the Mass included Father Carlos Rojas, a current Saint Leo student in the Doctor of Theology in Applied Theology Program, who is pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church in Dade City and the dean/vicar forane for the East Pasco-Hernando Deanery of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and Father John McEvoy, assistant university chaplain. 

Graduating seniors participating in Mass included Michael Bogush as an altar server, Forgive Semackor as a choir member, Lili Kozlowski doing the first Gospel reading, Mariana Fonseca leading the prayer of the faithful, and Kristina Arwady, Paul Vitaliti, and Vashti Rolle presenting the gifts. Dr. Cynthias Selph, associate professor of music and music ministry, led the choir with Brother Apollo Rodriguez ’19, OSB, serving as cantor. 

“From your years of struggling to striving at Saint Leo, you have been given new life, news ways of thinking, new opportunities for work and study, your minds have been opened to hear different points of view, to seeing the members of your community as images of Christ, to learning how new life requires you to ‘listen with the ears of our hearts,’” Amarillas said. 

The faith the Class of 2025 would carry with them across the commencement stage is “an enduring trust amid the uncertainties of life, remembering that “you are not alone. God is on our side,” and “you are loved deeply, widely, madly.” 

James DeTuccio ’07, interim chief operating officer and chief financial officer, presented an olive tree to the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey in appreciation of the support given to the University. Just as the monks and priests pray daily for the University, DeTuccio said the university community prays for them and is grateful. 

Watch the Mass

The 2025 Baccalaureate Mass recording is available via Facebook.

Join University Ministry

Many of the students taking part in Mass join Saint Leo’s University Ministry during the academic year. University Ministry’s mission is to “accompany students in their journey of faith, inspiring them to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ through prayer, Sacraments, service, and community.”

The University Ministry team is planning its 2025 Freshmen Retreat for newly admitted students who will join Saint Leo in Fall Semester 2025. Retreat participants move into their residence halls early and enjoy a two-day overnight stay at a local Christian retreat center. Sign up at 2025 Fall Freshmen Retreat. 

For more information about University Ministry, email ministry@saintleo.edu.