CIRCULAR NO.8/2001-GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATION AND GRADUATION MASSES TO ALL PARISH PRIESTS AND HEADS OF SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CEBU

06 March 2001

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace!

In line with the Statement and Resolutions of the 6th General Pastoral Assembly (GPA VI) of the Archdiocese, which calls for the formulation of guidelines on the different aspects of liturgy (GPA, GP #1), and being aware of the fact that the academic school year is about to end, we have issued the Guidelines for Graduation Masses. These are the following:

1. Tthe Graduation Ceremony is a civic / academic ceremony, and should not be incorporated within the mass. However, special rites are provided in the Philippine supplement of the Roman Sacramentary for a mass to be celebrated for the graduating students. During this mass the graduates give thanks to God and pray for all those who helped them come to this moment in their lives. The school, represented by an official, also asks for blessing upon the graduates as they face a new stage in life. The Graduation and the Graduation Mass are to be kept as separate and distinct and should not be celebrated one right after the other

2. Graduation rites may not be celebrated in the church.

3. Graduation mass should preferably be celebrated in a parish church.

4. Since in our country, Graduation happens during Lent, the mass and readings for the day are used.

5. The Eucharistic prayer for special assemblies with its proper preface may be used at the graduation mass or any of the Eucharistic Prayers for Children may also be used as the situation demands.

6. Should there be a Sacred Dance, this may be done only before the Mass as a prologue.

Attached herewith also is the formula for the Blessing of the Graduates during Graduation Mass.

With sentiments of deep paternal joy, I remain.

Sincerely in Jesus, the Teacher,

RICARDO J. CARDINAL VIDAL

Archbishop of Cebu

By Mandate of the Archbishop

REV.FR. MARVIN S. MEJIA

Vice-Chancellor