HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION LITURGY OF THE WORD Guidelines ...

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Guidelines
Pastoral Notes
Order of Service
Created: May 2007
Liturgy Commission – Archdiocese of Edmonton
Revised: October 2008
Rev. Paul Kavanagh
Archbishop Richard Smith

Graduation from High School
GUIDELINES
Graduation from Senior High School is an important occasion in the lives of the graduates, their families,
friends, teachers, other school staff, and younger students.
Graduation marks the end of High School education. It is also the beginning of a new phase of the
students’ lives: further schooling for some, employment for others, perhaps married life. For all, it is a
“rite of passage” from adolescence to relative maturity and greater independence.
High School graduation is a time to recognize what the graduating students have accomplished and the
effort that was required to reach this goal. It is a time to celebrate the ups and downs that accompanied
not only the academic work but also the maturing that is part of High School education. It is a time to
look forward in hope and expectation to what the future will bring. It is a time for students to thank
teachers and other school staff, their families, and their fellow students for helping them reach this
moment.
The Celebration of Graduation
The celebration of graduation has several dimensions.
One of these is academic and this is expressed through the conferring of diplomas, the valedictory
address, and perhaps other speeches.
A second dimension is social: parties at home and among the graduating students, both in school and
elsewhere. Neither the academic nor social aspect of graduation is explicitly religious in nature.
For Catholics and other Christians and persons of other faiths, graduation also has a religious
dimension. This calls for religious celebrations to accompany the academic and social aspects.
Graduation is a time for students to give thanks for the presence of God throughout their High School
years. It is a time as well to ask for God’s blessing and presence in their lives to come. It is a time to
commit themselves to living the Christian life more seriously and intentionally in the days and years that
lie ahead.
The graduation of students from Catholic secondary schools is also an important event for the local
Church community to which they belong. It is an occasion to acknowledge the rich heritage of faith in
and by which the graduates have been nourished during their formative years in our Catholic schools. It
is also an occasion to celebrate the variety of gifts manifest in our young people and to give thanks to
God who is the giver of all good things.
Liturgical Celebration of Graduation
Liturgy is communal ritual prayer. The conferring of diplomas and accompanying speeches is not
Christian liturgy. How are liturgy and academic exercises to be related at the time of Senior High School
Graduation? How can both kinds of events be celebrated without neglecting the proper character of
each?

The religious celebration of graduation may be expressed through liturgical celebrations that are carried
out independently of the academic exercises. Liturgies may be celebrated some time before or after the
graduation itself. Such liturgies could be celebrated in the school or in the parish.
It is customary in many instances to combine the religious and academic dimensions of graduation in a
single occasion. A recommended form for celebration is a Liturgy of the Word followed by Academic
Exercises. Several factors need to be taken into consideration. One is the total length of the event,
which should not be excessive. Secondly, the liturgical and academic elements need to be reasonably
well balanced in emphasis. Finally, the two elements should be connected, and not just set side by side.
The Eucharist
The Eucharist (the Mass) is the principal Sunday celebration of the Catholic Church. It is not, however,
the only liturgy of the Church. The celebration of the Eucharist at academic graduation exercises is
strongly discouraged. It is not appropriate to insert the conferring of diplomas, the valedictory address,
etc. into the middle of the Eucharistic Liturgy, i.e. at the end of the Liturgy of the Word or before the
concluding rite. Although this is an important part of the graduation ceremony, it would introduce a
lengthy and primarily non-religious element into the Eucharistic Liturgy and would disrupt its unity.
It is also inappropriate to celebrate the Eucharist immediately following the conclusion of the academic
part of graduation. Each part – the liturgy, the conferring of diplomas, the speeches – requires a
significant length of time. A combined celebration will be uncomfortably long. The celebration of the
Eucharist requires attention and energy, and this is also true of the academic exercises. It would be
difficult to celebrate both elements well under these circumstances.
At many graduation celebrations a significant number of graduates, fellow students, family members and
guests will not be Roman Catholics. They will not be able to participate fully in a Catholic Eucharistic
Liturgy. Under such circumstances, the Eucharist can be divisive rather than a sacrament of unity.
A Parish Eucharist
Parishes are encouraged to take note of a High School graduation in a parish celebration of the
Eucharist, perhaps on a convenient evening or on a Sunday afternoon, in the students’ parishes the
week before or after graduation. This might be done by issuing a special invitation to graduates and
their families and by welcoming them warmly. Their presence and achievement might be noted in the
presider’s opening greeting, the preaching and the general intercessions.
Graduates who are practicing members of their faith community and who are qualified to do so, might
serve as liturgical ministers. A reception or meal for graduates and their families and guests might follow
the celebration of the Eucharist.
PASTORAL NOTES
The basic principles of contemporary liturgical celebration apply to High School graduation liturgies.
One important principle is that Christ is present in the assembly (the gathered people), in the
presiding minister, and in the Word of God.

Participation
The full, active, conscious and fruitful participation of everyone should be facilitated. Everyone has a
role; no one is a passive spectator. All participate by singing, listening, responding, seeing, and hearing.
The primary ministry of any liturgy is the entire worshipping assembly.
Leadership
Leadership in preparing the academic part of graduation usually will be taken by the school principal, in
collaboration with teachers and trustees or by a designated graduation committee. Leadership in
preparing the liturgical celebration may be exercised by designated persons or graduation committee in
consultation with the parish pastor or another priest or by a lay school chaplain. The pastor, or another
priest, will usually be the presider for the religious element of the graduation liturgy.
Liturgical Ministers
Graduation liturgies, like other liturgical celebrations require a number of ministers in addition to the
presider: readers, servers, music ministers (instrumentalists, cantor, and leader of song and/or choir).
Persons selected as these ministers should be qualified for their ministries. Readers in particular may
need training and rehearsal. All ministers need to be well rehearsed to facilitate the flow of the liturgy.
Language
The language used in all the liturgical texts and readings as well as the preaching and other texts that
are composed should be gender inclusive in keeping with the principles adopted by the Canadian
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Music
A liturgical celebration without music lacks the sense of joy and elation that is an essential element of
Christian worship and that needs to be fostered among those who participate. Music brings about and
expresses unity, joy and celebration; it makes the celebration more powerful and meaningful; it assists
the believers to proclaim their faith.
A basic principle to be observed is that the music chosen should enable the participation of all
present. This may present a challenge in that the worshipping community may be less homogeneous
than at Sunday Eucharist. The people present may not be used to worshipping together, let alone
singing together.
The selection of music for graduation liturgies needs special attention in the planning process; good
celebrations do not just happen. The music for liturgical celebrations is chosen on the basis of
liturgical, pastoral and musical judgments. Do the musical selections fit the movement of the liturgy
and support the ritual action? Are they suitable for this group of people? Good musical leadership must
be provided by instrumentalists, cantor, and leader of song and/or choir.
The provision of an Order of Service outlining the celebration and including the music and texts will
enable the participation of those gathered for worship.

Preparing the Celebration
Graduation liturgies need to be well prepared. This should be a collaborative effort involving members
of the graduating class, teachers, chaplain, and school administrators. If the parish priest or another
priest presides, he should be consulted well in advance of the celebration and be invited to participate in
the preparation of the liturgy.
The preparation process involves:
� The shape and flow of the liturgy. What form will be used? How will this relate to the
academic exercises?
� Environment. Where will the graduation liturgy be celebrated? How will this place of worship
be decorated?
� Hospitality. How ill families, gusts and other participants be welcomed?
� Movement and seating. What shape will the processions take? Where will the graduates,
leader(s), and ministers sit and stand for the different parts of the liturgy?
� Liturgical ministers. Who will serve as presider, readers, servers, hospitality ministers, and
music ministers?
� Music. What music will be selected? When will it be sung or played? Who will provide the
musical leadership?
� Biblical Texts. What readings from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures will be proclaimed?
What psalm will be sung?
� Liturgical Texts. What liturgical texts (prayers) will be chosen or composed?
� Order of Service. What order of service will be prepared to enable participation by those
gathered? Who will prepare this?
Order of Service
An Order of Service is one way to promote participation. It will provide an outline of the liturgy, give in
full the texts that the assembly needs and make reference to another book such as a hymnal or provide
the music and text of the music selections. It may also provide directions and other information, and
may name persons who have special rose. Finally, it may serve as a memento of the graduation.
The Order of Service need not include texts used by the presider or readers. If the music and/or text of
the music selections are printed, prior permission of the copyright holder must be obtained and the
source of the selection acknowledged. Readings may be identified by title and biblical reference. For
example, “Remain in my love. John 15:12,” rather than simply “John 15:12.”

LITURGY OF THE WORD
ORDER OF SERVICE
Procession
Opening Hymn
Sign of the Cross and Liturgical Greeting
Litany of Praise
Opening Prayer
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading (optional)
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Reading
Homily
Intercessions
The Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Blessing
Closing Hymn
ACADEMIC EXERCISES

Procession
LITURGY OF THE WORD
(Sample)
Entrance of the liturgical ministers and graduates accompanied by instrumental music:
Cross bearer and servers with processional candles, reader with the lectionary, graduates, and presider.
Opening Hymn
A hymn may be sung by all after the graduates and liturgical ministers are in their places. A hymn of
praise is appropriate.
Sign of the Cross and Liturgical Greeting
Presider: In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
+ of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Presider: The grace and peace of God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
Litany of Praise
Presider: You give your Spirit that we might live as your people:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You give your Spirit that we may have new life:
Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Presider: You call us to be your witnesses, even to the ends of the earth:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer
Presider: Let us pray:
God, our Creator,
We praise you for giving us our Son
To be our Saviour and Lord.
Bless us as we gather here today (tonight)
To rejoice in your gifts of wisdom and knowledge,
And live happily in your love.
Hear our prayer,
For we ask this in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen.

First Reading
See attached list of suggested readings. The reader concludes by saying:
The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
An appropriate psalm should be sung as a response to the reading. See the Psalm Index in
Catholic Book of Worship III.
Second Reading (optional)
Gospel Acclamation
Homily
The “alleluia” is sung in preparation for the reading of the gospel.
The presider will give a homily based on the readings selected.
General Intercessions
The presider will invite the assembly to pray for the needs of the graduates, the Church and the
world.
A reader may serve as intercessor and present the petitions composed for the occasion. All
respond: “Lord, hear our prayer” after each petition.
The presider will conclude with a brief prayer.
The following petitions may be included:
� for the graduates
� for families and the school community
� for the Church
� for the world
� for persons in need.
The Lord’s Prayer
The presider invites all to join in the Lord’s Prayer. It is appropriate to conclude with the
doxology “for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen” after the
words “but deliver us from evil.”

Concluding Prayer
Presider: Lord Jesus, our brother and Savior,
You have promised to be present among us
Whenever we come together in your name.
Remain with us as we gather to celebrate all we have achieved
Through your inspiration
And all we have accomplished
With your saving help.
Jesus, we praise you
For you are Lord for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Blessing
All: Amen.
Closing Hymn
The presider may offer a simple or solemn blessing.
The liturgy may conclude with a closing hymn. The presider, cross-bearer and candle-bearers
may process out.
All are seated for the Academic Exercises that follow.

SCRIPTURE READINGS
The following or other selected passages may be appropriate:
Sirach 1:1-10 The mystery of wisdom
Sirach 4:11-19 Wisdom as educator
Sirach 51:13-19 The search for Wisdom
Psalm 19, 25, 100, 138 [see Catholic Book of Worship III]
Romans 1:8-13 Thanksgiving and prayer
Romans 8:28-39 God has called us
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Thanksgiving
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 The variety of gifts
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:1-13 Love
Ephesians 1:3-14 God’s plan of salvation
Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul’s prayer
Ephesians 4:1-8 Call to unity
Philippians 1:3-11 Thanksgiving and prayer
Philippians 3:12-14 Pressing on toward the goal
Philippians 4:4-9 Last advice
Colossians 1:3-12 Thanksgiving and prayer
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 Encouragement to persevere
1 Peter 1:3-9 Salvation of Christians
1 John 4:7-12 Love of God and neighbor
Matthew 5:3-12 The beatitudes
Matthew 25:14-20 Parable of the talents
John 15:5, 7-9 I am the vine
John 17:11b, 17-21 Priestly prayer of Jesus
RESOURCES
A Book of Blessings (Ottawa: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1981)