<p>Has anyone attended one? I don't know how a church could possibly hold 1/4 of the graduates, let alone their families. We're not catholic, so I'm thinking maybe we should skip this. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Is your kid at a Catholic school? If so, it’s likely that everyone’s attendance is more or less expected. Just dress nicely, sit near the back, and stand up/sit down when the people in front of you do.</p>
<p>If the school isn’t Catholic, then there’s no reason to go.</p>
<p>If you decide to go, go early, it may be full.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a catholic school.</p>
<p>Are you sure it will be in the church? A school wide Mass might be held in the basketball arena or even the football stadium, depending on the school.</p>
<p>Is this a college graduation? I was at one years ago that was held in the school athletic center (basketball arena). S’s school had a freshman/family mass during orientation that was held in the basketball arena. Definitely you should go.</p>
<p>I also think you should attend, if you are so inclined. Son’s was held in the basketball arena and it was incredibly touching and beautiful.</p>
<p>Son’s was not a Catholic mass but a non-denominational service in the univeristy’s chapel. It is a gorgeous chapel but only members of the senior class and profs are inside. Family can view simulcast. One the school’s oldest traditions.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>DS Catholic HS holds their Baccalaureate Mass in the large grass covered common area. I’d suggest finding out what the venue will be and then dress accordingly. OP …not sure if this is your kiddle you are asking about or whether it’s a family friend. If it’s your son…how does he feel about your/his attendance or non-attendance? If it’s an invitation from another family, they obviously feel you are a close enough friend to have in attendance at such an event. I’d say …go.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a church and the university must have at least 700 graduates.</p>
<p>I doubt it’s being held in a church unless it’s a massive cathedral.</p>
<p>Attendance is likely expected if the student is “walking”. I don’t know why people who send their kids to Catholic schools/univs are so surprised when the schools include their faith in celebrations/graduations/holidays, etc. </p>
<p>My kids Baccalaureate Mass for high school WAS the graduation. Diplomas were given at that time. The Bishop came to preside. The Val and Sal gave their speeches.</p>
<p>It was held at a Convention Center to accommodate everyone.</p>
<p>My kids went to the same Jesuit university although we are not Catholic. There is a Bacc. mass every year for the graduating class, held in their gymnasium complex. All are welcome to attend, but it is not mandatory. I would have liked to attend, but neither of my kids wanted to go. We went to dinner and then to the President’s reception later that night. Graduation was the next day.</p>
<p>Although I doubt he would ever admit it, I think after four years of hard work S1 appreciated the additional opportunity to wear the graduation robe and pose for pictures with friends at his Baccalaureate Mass.</p>
<p>My son went to a Catholic prep school and they had a Baccalaureate Mass a week or so before his graduation. Although we are Jewish we wouldn’t have missed it for the world. My son was also required to attend the once a month mass the school held and take 4 years of religion. He pretty much just slept through the masses (and he did not kneel) but as it was our choice to send him to this school we felt it important he attend whatever religious things students were required to attend.</p>
<p>This is my son and we’ve avoided all masses for 4 years now. Son doesn’t want to attend this, either, but I was just thinking that we could be missing something meaningful. </p>
<p>I didn’t realize that high schools also have these masses. Good thing to know, as I have one at a catholic high school now, too.</p>
<p>S gave the homily at his hs baccalaureate mass - pretty exciting for us :)</p>
<p>Just curious toledo, but have you ever been to a catholic mass?</p>
<p>D & S attended Catholic HS and we had heard the Bac Mass would be a beautiful, more meaningful ceremony than the actual Graduation. And it definitely was. Kids were so excited, loved wearing their grad robes. Some of the best pictures came from Bac Mass vs. the Grad ceremony.
D is at a Catholic U and we will be attending the Mass before Graduation…would not miss it for the world…and I’m not Catholic…</p>
<p>Yes, we’ve been to catholic masses before. We have even been known to sneak in communion;)</p>
<p>I went to my nondenominational Protestant baccalaureate service and thought it was memorable and worthwhile, even moving (I’m an agnostic Jew). It occurred the morning after an infamous senior-week party, and I got a great photo of a pewful of my classmates snoozing on one another’s shoulders in their caps and gowns.</p>
<p>I would consider myself to be a lapsed Catholic. D graduated from a large Catholic university. Baccalaureate mass was not mandatory. It was early in the morning after a late night out and she decided to sleep in. H&I went to the mass. It was practically like being at the Vatican. I think there were 21 priests concelebrating the mass, all wearing various colored vestments. The music, with horns, strings, and church bells ringing was beautiful. Don’t tell my D, but I think the baccalaureate mass might have been my favorite part of graduation weekend. As a good friend of mine (and devout Catholic) says “nobody does ritual and celebration quite like the Catholic church”…except for may the royal family.</p>