Message to the Graduates

Dear graduates,

I have three things to tell you. Discover your identity, build your relationships, and find your vocation. Discovering your identity, building your relationships, and finding your vocation will enable you to be the best version of yourself that God intended for you to be.

First, discover your identity: You are a member of a family, of a parish, of a school, of a community and of a country. Each gives you certain characteristics. During the past 18 or so years, you have had experiences which will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. What are they? How can you use your talents, build on the knowledge and skills you have acquired and strengthen your weaknesses? What is exercised grows and develops. What is ignored stays dormant. Jesus discovered his identity by being with his Father in prayer. Whether you are still living home on have move to an apartment or college dormitory find some quiet time in prayer every day.

Second, build your relationships: Relationships make you a happy person. Build relationships with people who will make you a better person. Pray with them, play with them, talk with them, work with them. Avoid distractions when you pray, forget work when you play, give focused attention when you speak, keep distractions apart when you work. Jump out of your bed in the morning as if there is a spring in your mattress. Making your bed first will please your mother and get you off to good start with others. Wherever you go take the first step in building relationships. Jesus had friends and He maintained His relationship with His father through prayer.

Third, find your vocation. God is calling you to be the best version of yourself. What path does he want you to take to do that? What would give you real meaning and fulfillment in life? Human beings look for to a more profound satisfaction and fulfillment in what they do. Meaningfulness in life motivates human beings to venture into newer learning and creative thinking. Fulfillment brings satisfaction. Jesus knew His vocation. He knew why His father had sent Him and he prayed that His Father would give Him strength to fulfill his vocation. At this graduation time, I invite you to pray regularly for God to guide you to the right vocation and the right preparation for it so that you can be the best version of yourself for God, your family, and society

God bless you abundantly in discovering your identity, relationships, and vocation as you move on to the next stage of life.

Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C. Ph.D.