Enjoy selections from Salesian Speeches and Graduate Speeches
The Oblates established and continue to minister at DeSales University, Salesianum School, Father Judge High School, Nativity Preparatory School, & St. Francis de Sales High School. We also support and partner with Cristo Rey High School, Bishop Ireton High School, & Georgetown Visitation.
Salesian Reflections
Mark Jannuzzi - Class President- DeSales University
Today we honor all those who have succeeded, those who took the risk on DeSales University, and even through the hard times, came out on top. 6.7% of the World population holds a college degree. Percentage-wise, you weren’t supposed to be here. That means 93.3% of people in the world won’t get to be where you are today. YOU have made it POSSIBLE. We are the role models and leaders of the future. Saint Francis DeSales once said, “Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”
Similar to the quote we all know “Be who you are and be that well,” Saint Francis DeSales teaches us to never lose sight of ourselves, something which is hard in today’s social media-driven world. He teaches us that being the best version of ourselves is better than being a fake version of someone else. This is a reminder that God created us uniquely and now it is our duty to be unique, just like how the DeSales community is unique.
In closing, I would like to add a quote from former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt: “Some people make things happen, some watch things happen, while others wonder what has happened.” Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Class of 2022. The Class that will make things happen! Thank you. Read full speech here.
Thomas McGauley - Fr. Judge High School
As we gather tonight, we remember that we have shared many things, especially the same Salesian virtues that unite us as brothers under our patron, St. Francis de Sales. One virtue that I have taken up and that I think represents our whole class is the call to be positive. I try to approach life with an optimistic attitude each day. Over these last few years, even with our struggles, I have seen everyone strive to remain optimistic and be the best versions of themselves every day.
As we move on after graduation, we will carry on the legacy of being a “Judge Guy.” This is a legacy of persevering through daily life and through the hard times in life, just like our “27” did. The “27” are the young Judge graduates who were deployed in the Vietnam War and never returned. However, their sacrifice and bravery is always remembered and something we should always appreciate and value.
When we leave Solly Avenue, we should also strive to carry on our identity as Salesian Gentlemen, wherever we go. As we leave, I hope we continue to be positive, be good, and in the words of our patron, St. Francis de Sales, may we always “be who we are and strive to be that well.” Read full speech here.
Jim Conley - Salesianum School
From my first day at Salesianum, I was introduced to several people who would help me on my own faith journey. My faith was truly strengthened in the way that I saw Jesus in the people I encountered every day at school. Teachers, classmates, custodians, and coaches all helped me to encounter Christ. I saw Jesus in their example and they inspired me to “be who I am and be that well.”
As Salesians, we see God in the present moment, in our companions on the road, and in the breaking of the bread. Perhaps it didn’t matter what we accomplished, as long as it was together. Our Salesian brotherhood, similar to the bond of the apostles, will always keep us close. Francis de Sales reminds us that “those who go, stay and those who stay, go.” As we leave this building, we leave a piece of ourselves behind. Yet we also take a part of Salesianum with us forever. So, my fellow travelers, take hold and never let go. Rise up and Live Jesus! Read full speech and other Salesianum speeches here.
Nicholas Basista - St. Francis de Sales High School
So often as students we hear “Be who you are and be that well,” or for one unfortunate class, “u.b.u”. I've probably heard that phrase more than anything else at SFS; everywhere you look that quote from St. Francis or a relative phrase is plastered on the walls. Its importance really comes to fruition as I reflect back on my own experiences and the times with this class as a whole. It's the individuality of each person composing the student body that makes the St. Francis community so special. The diversity of personalities within SFS makes the school an exciting place to be. But more importantly, it's the fact that each person, each personality, can find success in the community. However, greatness isn’t uniform. Greatness can be defined by so much: academic success, athletic success, skills in arts or music, and much more. I often think that our view of success and greatness is so limited. Being yourself, whether you’re the funniest kid in the room, the hardest working student behind the scenes, the best player on a state championship-winning hockey program, or just a good person to be around, is truly achieving greatness. No one achieves greatness purely by luck. Every step along the way, a peer or a faculty member is ready to help or involve you in the community to become great. So while we all have work in front of us to continue being great, I’m confident that each of us has been endowed with the foundation necessary for success regardless of where we go. Read full speech here.
Jack Rust -St. Francis de Sales High School
Looking back on all that we have accomplished and experienced throughout these four years, Our class, the class of 22, encountered, survived, and overcame more than any class that has come before us here at St. Francis. No matter the trial or tribulation we faced, my brothers endured and lived the St. Francis quote, “rise up.”
For most of us, our time at SFS and brotherhood can be linked back to Camp DeSales. Most of us started our St. Francis experience at 7th, 8th, or Freshman camp. The fond memories of Father Ken’s cooking, being pulled tubing by a priest, or bonding through the accomplishment of the ropes course was the inception of the brotherhood. As Father Ken would call it, “a place where the air is thin between heaven and earth.” What a more perfect place, for this brotherhood to form. Most of us had the opportunity to return to Camp DeSales for our Senior Retreat, for a final chance to reinforce our bond before going our separate ways.
I could not miss the opportunity to leave you with a few sayings to carry with you:
“Saveter et Fortier” “There’s nothing so strong as gentleness”
“VJ”
“We want you to be a Knight”
…any word attached with “Salesian”
. God bless the class of 2022 and God Bless America! Read full speech here.
Excerpts from Commencement Speeches
Pablo Mezquita-Medina and William Johnson, Jr. - Nativity Preparatory School
I learned that the classes I had to go through would mean nothing if it hadn’t been for my classmates. Throughout my time at Nativity, I had to recite the school pledge countless times. Each time I recited the pledge, I would think about the spirit of Nativity and what or who it was. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that when I pledged my service to the spirit of Nativity, I was actually pledging my service to my classmates. If I had to choose one word to describe my
class, I would choose empathy. Empathy has been a very common theme in my class throughout the year. I like to try and end things how I start them; in this case, with a quote. The quote I chose to share is about empathy, and it’s by Cornell West. Dr. West once said,“Empathy is not simply a matter of trying to imagine what others are going through, but having the will to muster enough courage to do something about it. In a way, empathy is predicated upon hope.” Read full speech here.
Riley Lebon -Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria, VA
Over the past summer, I met with 11 of my classmates to talk about what the school Salesian quotation for the year should be. It was important to us that this quote encapsulated all of the emotions we felt and the experiences we had during high school. We chose St. Francis de Sales’ words: “We must sometimes take a step backward in order to better spring forward; let us practice well holy resignation and pure love of our Lord.” Each crack we’ve faced together was tackled with the same level of determination that it approached us with. Not only did our faith never waiver, but we continued to be pivotal Salesian leaders in our families and communities. One of the biggest blessings this year has been the full return to retreats at Ireton. Each Monday when the retreatants returned, the change was instantaneous. Whether it was a weekend of serving others or a weekend of learning about love and friendship, we returned with fresh outlooks and affection for each other so strong that it will continue long after we leave here today. Read full speech and Aidan Foley's speech here.
Aisata Ba - Cristo Rey High School, Philadelphia, PA
Cristo Rey asked us the first question: “Who are you?” - Even as freshmen, we were told we belonged. We were reminded by upperclassmen and teachers that our existence in the seats of the cramped Social Hall was important. That we were important. We found our significance on Signing Day, and feeling that spark of inspiration at every Friday assembly. We explored every nook and cranny of our complex beings, and there we found our potential.
Who are we now? We are unified. Everywhere you turned there was a college acceptance, a scholarship awarded, a job granted—a new beginning. We had a wonderful support system. We had so many staff and most importantly, we had each other! Though we worked to thrive individually, we knew that would have meant nothing if we didn’t thrive together. We became one.
We’re all sitting here right now because we worked our way through these questions. We learned that this potential we harbor within us is made to be discovered, explored, utilized, and changed.
Tonight is a reminder of your journey. And your journey is a reminder that you are resilient, you are courageous, and you are loved. Read full speech and Malcolm Pace’s speech here..
Joella Kiondo - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
The end of my time as class president, the end of our time as Visitation students, and yet the beginning of a new era of our lives. What I know for sure is that we are intelligent, resilient, adaptable, and optimistic. What I don’t know for sure is what comes next. What happens after we make our exit? I challenge you to remember you are capable of accomplishing difficult things — but you don’t necessarily have to seek them out. Meet yourself where you are, and where you want to be.
Do what excites you, not what is expected of you. You are always growing and changing. Have patience with yourself. Some may choose to see college as a fresh start, and for others it will be an opportunity to carry the best of themselves into a new environment as you try new things. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” It is the relationships that we keep, throughout all the hectic changes, unending twists, frequent turns, and surprising dead ends in our lives that truly make life fulfilling. Read full speech here.
