The Ave Maria University 2025-2026 Academic Year opened with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on Aug. 25, 2025.
Prior to the opening hymn, students carrying banners representing different Households of the resident halls at the university came forward. They were followed by faculty, dressed in their academic robes and seated up front while the students sat behind. Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Dewane were the priests who serve the spiritual needs of the students on campus and in Ave Maria Parish.
The Bishop and priests wore red vestments, to mark the celebration of a Mass of the Holy Spirit, whereupon the community gathers to thank God for the gifts of creation and salvation and to seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in the coming year.
Bishop Dewane called upon the Lord to bless the works of the faculty and staff of the university as they are dedicated to the task of building up the students on all levels, but most importantly in their spiritual and faith formation.
The Bishop welcomed new and returning students and noted that they have each been provided with a great opportunity to be at Ave Maria University and said he was praying that they find success in their studies. He encouraged the students to be open to hear the call of the Lord in their lives and to live that answer each day.
As students, they come to Ave Maria University with goals and dreams to enter into a profession or career, but the Bishop remarked how that is secondary to what their commitment to attending a Catholic University is all about.
“Your commitment must be about listening to the Lord and responding in a particular way,” Bishop Dewane continued. “Allow yourself to be guided by the Holy Spirit to respond in prayer to come to know Christ; know Him and what it is that He asks us of you as men and women of God.”
A key part of their lessons at Ave Maria University, the students will learn how to live as God’s people. The Beatitudes serve as a blueprint on how to live one’s life – dignity, respect and care. Use it as a guide because Christ calls each of us to something deeper and long lasting.
“To labor under the banner of God, you have to give of yourself,” Bishop Dewane said. “At Ave Maria University, under the example and intercession of the Our Lady, Mother of God, you are called to become more the image of God. Let that transformative experience allow you to become more.”
Following the closing prayer, the Bishop presided over a commissioning ceremony for three new doctoral students in theology who received the mandatum. As part of the doctoral program, they will be engaged as instructors and teaching assistants for courses in Catholic theology at the University. As such, they are required to obtain the mandatum from the Local Bishop. The object of the mandatum is the content of the professor’s teaching, and thus the mandatum recognizes both the professor’s “lawful freedom of inquiry” and the professor’s commitment and responsibility to teach authentic Catholic doctrine and to refrain from putting forth as Catholic teaching anything contrary to the Church’s magisterium. As part of the ceremony, before Bishop Dewane and the entire school community, each made a Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity, vowing to remain faithful to the Teachings of the Church.
After the Mass the Bishop greeted the students who thanked him for his presence and inspiring homily.
Prayers and good luck to all of the Ave Maria students this academic year!
