Schedule and Live StreamSee the schedule and watch the events Live online here.
 Raymond Cardinal Burke has been prefect for the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican since 2008. |
 Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., was chosen by Pope John Paul II to be preacher to the papal household. |
 Congressman Jeff Fortenberry MA ’96, is the U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. |
STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville will celebrate its sixty-third annual commencement ceremonies, May 13-14.
The exercises will feature three speakers outstanding for their Catholic faith and public service: Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Vatican City; Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., preacher to the Papal Household; and the Hon. Jeff Fortenberry MA '96, U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 1st District.
"We’re delighted to honor three men who, each in his own way, contribute to proclaiming Christ to the world: in their words, in their deeds, and in their lived witness to the truth of the faith," said University President Father Terence Henry, TOR. "Their inspiring words will prepare our new graduates to ‘go and rebuild my church’ in the spirit of St. Francis, doing good works in a world starving for Christ."
Events begin Friday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m. with the Baccalaureate Mass in Finnegan Fieldhouse. The celebrant and homilist, Cardinal Burke, will receive an honorary doctorate of humanities for his unwavering commitment to the sanctity of human life and for helping Catholics rise to the challenge of responding to the culture of death.
A native of Wisconsin, Cardinal Burke was ordained a priest by Pope Paul VI in 1975 while studying at the Gregorian University in Rome. Following years of service in the Diocese of La Crosse, Father Burke returned to Rome in 1989, when Venerable Pope John Paul II named him defender of the bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. He was the first American to hold the post.
John Paul II appointed him bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse in 1994 and ordained him to the episcopate in 1995. In 2003, Bishop Burke was named archbishop of St. Louis. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Burke prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and on November 20, 2010, elevated him to the College of Cardinals.
On Saturday, May 14, commencement ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. with the conferral of master's degrees in Christ the King Chapel.
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will address graduates of master's programs in business, counseling, education, educational administration, nursing, philosophy, and theology and will receive an honorary doctorate in public administration in recognition of his public service, his pro-life advocacy, and his lived witness to the Catholic faith in the public square.
Fortenberry holds a master's of public policy degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. In November 2004, Fortenberry was elected to the United States House of Representatives to serve Nebraska's 1st Congressional District.
In Congress, Fortenberry serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee with significant responsibilities for Middle Eastern affairs. He also serves on the Agriculture Committee, where he helped write the House Farm Bill, and serves as chairman of the Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit Subcommittee.
Congressman Fortenberry speaks at the annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., and has received a 100 percent pro-life score from the National Right to Life Committee. His work in Congress is rooted in the belief that the strength of our nation depends on the strength of our families and communities. He and his wife, Celeste (Gregory '93), live in Lincoln with their five daughters.
The biggest ceremony of the day will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse, where students will receive bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or associate's degrees from among 40 programs.
Addressing the Class of 2011 will be Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., preacher to the Papal Household. Father Cantalamessa will receive an honorary doctorate in sacred theology for his long service to the Church as the pope's preacher.
Father Cantalamessa was ordained a priest in 1958. In 1979, he resigned his teaching position in the Department of Religious Sciences at the Catholic University of Milan to become a full-time preacher of the Gospel. Appointed by Pope John Paul II as the preacher to the papal household in 1980, Father Cantalamessa delivers a weekly sermon during Advent and Lent before the pope, cardinals, bishops, and prelates of the Roman Curia. Father Cantalamessa is a popular preacher for retreats and conferences as well as a prolific author, writing such works as Contemplating the Trinity, The Eucharist: Our Sanctification, and Mary: Mirror of the Church, among others.
Franciscan University President Father Terence Henry, TOR, will confer the degrees, and Father Christian Oravec, TOR, chairman of the Board of Trustees, will preside at both commencement ceremonies along with members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors.
The top seven states represented by the 2011 graduating class, in order, are Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Texas, and Virginia. Graduates also hail from Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Macedonia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. This year's class includes seven international business majors, the University's fastest-growing program. The top ten majors for the Class of 2011 are theology, education, business, catechetics, philosophy, nursing, psychology, mental health and human services, English, and communication arts.
2011 Commencement Exercises
For a full schedule of events, visit the Commencement Pages
- Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, May 13, 6:00 p.m., Finnegan Fieldhouse, Open Admission - Graduate Commencement
Saturday, May 14, 9:00 a.m., Christ the King Chapel, Tickets Required - Undergraduate Commencement
Saturday, May 14, 11:30 a.m., Finnegan Fieldhouse, Tickets Required