“Congratulations is a word you’ll hear often tonight,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the 2026 graduates of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries during the May 7 commencement ceremony in Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
The bishop was the principal Mass celebrant. Deacon Sean Neville, who will be ordained to the priesthood on May 16, was the homilist. Borromeo seminarian Andrew Bendahan presented a senior reflection, telling the assembly, “My call to serve has been aroused … We are here to celebrate the honors earned and the great gifts of God … I am grateful for all.”
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Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, told the graduates that the seminary can train them to do ministry, “but not for what it does to you.”
Twenty-two degrees were awarded to 17 students: four Borromeo seminarians who earned bachelor’s degrees from John Carroll University; six Saint Mary seminarians who will be ordained to the priesthood; two Saint Mary students who earned master of arts in theology degrees and five recently ordained permanent deacons who earned master of arts in diaconal ministry degrees. Three of the Saint Mary seminarians earned both master of divinity and master of arts in theology degrees.
In his homily, Deacon Neville compared seminary life to the Scripture reading about being chained in a cave as he urged then to reflect with him and “explore the ‘cave’ of Saint Mary Seminary.” He said there was a constant “pulling against the chains” during his five years at Saint Mary, calling it “a never-ending conversion of the whole person.”
Deacon Neville reminded those gathered that the Church teaches by divine authority and “the wisdom we seek can’t be grasped on its own … Christian vision is always given to us through the Church.” As they graduate, he said his fellow seminarians will go out to take up their ministries “still shackled, but profoundly free through the Lord.”
Bishop Malesic encouraged the graduates to “use your knowledge to build up the body of Christ … Never stop theologizing. Stay up to date in your field and continue to spread the word of God … Give what you’ve received and be a blessing for our Church.”
The bishop also recognized the family of Deacon Truong “Joseph” Viet Ho, who came from Vietnam to study for the priesthood at the seminary, They took their first plane trip to attend his graduation and ordination. He said they haven’t seen him in person in eight years. “Look at how he is beaming,” he added.
After Mass and the degree conferral, the group gathered in the Founder’s Room for a reception.