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Baccalaureate

Baccalaureate Liturgy - Catholic Tradition

Emmanuel's Baccalaureate Liturgy is a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic tradition of the College. On the afternoon before Commencement, faculty and graduating seniors process into the gymnasium of the Jean Yawkey Center in full academic attire. All graduates and families are welcome to attend regardless of faith denomination.

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Baccalaureate Facts

•  The ceremony is a service in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom.

•  The baccalaureate service derives from the medieval European custom of presenting the candidates for the degree of Bachelor (bacca) with laurels (lauri) of sermonic oration. 

•  The baccalaureate service is believed to have originated at the University of Oxford in 1432 when each bachelor was required to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic requirements. Since the earliest universities in America were founded primarily to educate ministers, the British practice of the baccalaureate service was continued.

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