May brings the end of another school year. While the majority of students will return in the fall, many are moving on: they are graduates. Schools traditionally hold graduation ceremonies to honor those who have completed the work. This is the same for high school, collegiate, and sometimes eighth-grade students. The graduation ceremony is a step up into something better. However, this step can be intimidating. To encourage the graduates, the community holds a baccalaureate service for them. But just what is a baccalaureate service? What is the purpose? And not a requirement, why should one attend?
What Is It?
A baccalaureate service generally refers to a non-denominational service held a few days before high school or college graduation. The ceremony aims to be a more intimate time of reflection prior to the larger, louder rite of passage that is commencement. Deliberately non-denominational to include all religions and beliefs, the goal of this event is to honor graduates and help them find spiritual meaning during this time of life-changing decision-making.
Purpose
There are three main purposes of the baccalaureate service.
- Â Officially marks the end of the academic career. Although some students continue on to college, most do not and this is the end of formal education.
- Â Encouragement to go on. It may seem intimidating to a graduate. What do I do now? What is expected of me? Will I make it? The baccalaureate service encourages the graduate to embrace the future filled with new possibilities and promise.
- Blessing. Who can pass up a blessing of promise and hope for the future? This is a show of support from the community towards the graduates as they imbark on a new phase of life.
While this service is not required, most graduates and their families do attend. It can seem calm before the furor of graduation ceremonies; it is the well-wishing of the community that they have faith in you. It completes the graduation and educational process.
