September 2, 2025 // Bishop

Convocation Mass Marks New Academic Year at Saint Francis

Clare Hildebrandt

Reporter

On Wednesday, August 27, hundreds of freshmen newly enrolled at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne bowed their heads in prayer as Bishop Rhoades celebrated the school’s annual convocation Mass. To mark the beginning of the new school year, professors, upperclassmen, and even the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration joined to welcome the new students.

The student body at Saint Francis is diverse, including both Catholic and non-Catholic students. At the Mass, a wide variety of religious backgrounds were present.

At the heart of Bishop Rhoades’ homily was the virtue of hope, in honor of the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope in the Church. He urged students to cultivate hope – not only at Saint Francis but for the rest of their lives.

“Hope is a virtue that does not disappoint,” Bishop Rhoades said at the Mass, which was celebrated at the school’s North Campus Auditorium. “We often forget about hope, but it is our anchor in life. Hope ought to be an anchor for all of us. It anchors us when the rough waves rock our lives, and you need this anchor as you journey through school. It will help you for the rest of your lives,” he told the students.

Saint Francis President Lance Richey echoed Bishop Rhoades’ words in his keynote address, saying: “At the start of this new school year, pray for hope in your lives. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you as you endeavor into rigorous academics and as you to transform your hearts,” he said.

He revealed that the University of Saint Francis is thriving, increasing the number of students and filling residence halls.

“On Monday, our first day of classes for the fall semester, we welcomed 836 new students to the University of Saint Francis student body. That brings our total enrollment across all locations to 1,937 students – up almost 10 percent from last year and our largest enrollment since 2021,” Richey said. 

“On our Fort Wayne campus, we are nearing capacity in our residence hall. We are excited for this year,” Richey continued, “there are good things to come.”

In the audience were hundreds of freshmen who recently completed their first days as collegiates.

Today’s Catholic met up with a few of them to hear about their experiences at the beginning of the academic year.

“I was definitely nervous before starting classes,” admitted freshman Bridget Devens. “I was surprised, though, by how kind the teachers are, and I was impressed with the different courses. I’m liking it.”

Her fellow freshman, Juliana Parra, also noted the kindness of the Saint Francis professors.

“It’s a little overwhelming, but my teachers have been so kind,” Parra said. “It’s only the third day of school, and teachers already know my name.”

Parra added: “It has been a while since I’ve been at a Catholic school. … My teacher let us out early from class for this Mass, which was so great. It was so cool that we could all come together to pray.”

Davionnte Nelson, a freshman who said he is new to the Catholic liturgy, said he enjoyed being able to “just sit and just observe the Mass.”

Many upperclassmen were in the congregation to welcome their fellow students to campus, including Arabella Moore, a junior involved in ministry on campus.

“I feel like seeing everyone come together for the Mass, even if it’s just at the beginning of the school year, is just a testimony to how united we are as a student body,” Moore said. “There are a lot of students who are not Catholic, but they still come to the Mass,” she told Today’s Catholic.

Moore added: “At the University of Saint Francis, I’ve grown in my faith, and I’ve heard that faith can truly move mountains. … I’ve seen the Holy Spirit move my classmates and also help me so much in my studies.”

To end his keynote address at the convocation, Richey encouraged students to embrace the hard work to which the university calls them.

“You all chose to come to Saint Francis,” Richey said. “In the spirit of hope with great fortitude, let’s endeavor upon the hard work God has called us to do this year. Let’s support one another in prayer and deeds this academic year. To put it more succinctly: Go Cougars!” he shouted as the crowd applauded.

Clare Hildebrandt is a staff writer for Today’s Catholic.