USF Convocation Ceremony 2017

The University of St. Francis held its annual convocation ceremony yesterday at St. Raymond Cathedral to officially welcome new students. There is perhaps no better way to welcome new students to a Catholic University than with a big Mass with a picnic afterwards.

But this is no ordinary Mass. “It's more of a welcome into the school and blessing rather than solely a Mass,” according to USF student Lorraine Lawson. The convocation is perhaps USF’s most attended Mass of the school year. This makes it the favorite Mass of the year for USF student Kayla Callahan. “I love it when there is a full church,” says Callahan. “Especially when it's filled with a community of people who know each other or will soon get to know each other.”

The freshmen get the first ten rows to themselves during the Mass and the rest of the upper classmen sit behind them. This is a metaphor for the support of the upperclassmen for the new students. The event also has classic Catholic music. The first song of the afternoon was Ave Verum Corpus-Mozart. The classical choral song was played during the candle lighting by part of the Schola group. According to Callahan, the song made the candle lighting more powerful and impactful.

During the communion, the "Song of St. Francis" was performed. This is of note because it was a fresh take on the song and was arranged by the new choir director. "You all have a wonderful team of people helping out,” says the music director of St. Ray’s James Grzadzinski. Grzadzinski says the USF community is great and encourages USF students to attend St. Ray’s more often. “Don’t be a stranger!"