Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Archbishop of Washington, will address 671 degree candidates and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Marymount University’s Undergraduate Commencement on Sunday, May 15.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. A commencement ceremony for graduate degree recipients will follow at 2 p.m. In addition, the university will hold Recognition Day on Saturday, May 14, which will include a Commencement Mass, awards ceremony and reception.
Cardinal Wuerl was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. He participated in the March 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. He serves on numerous national and international bodies and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, chancellor of The Catholic University of America, chairman of the board of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation and also of The Papal Foundation. He serves on a number of Vatican Congregations, Councils and Commissions and has served as chairman of numerous committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He is known for his teaching ministry and is involved in many education, health care and social service organizations. He is the author of numerous articles and over a dozen books, including the best-selling catechisms, “The Teaching of Christ” and “The Catholic Way.” His recent books include, “The Church” (2013), “The Light is On For You” (2014), “Open to the Holy Spirit: Living the Gospel with Wisdom and Power” (2014), “The Marriage God Wants for You” (2015), “To the Martyrs” (2015) and “Ways to Pray” (2015).
Cardinal Wuerl hosted in Washington Pope Benedict XVI in April 2008 and Pope Francis in September 2015 for their first pastoral visits to the United States. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and received graduate degrees from The Catholic University of America, the Gregorian University in Rome and a doctorate in theology from the University of Saint Thomas in Rome. He was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II on Jan. 6, 1986, in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. He served as Auxiliary Bishop in Seattle until 1987 and then as Bishop of Pittsburgh for 18 years until his appointment to Washington.
This year’s commencement exercises will recognize 671 bachelor’s degree candidates, 327 master’s degree candidates and 46 doctoral degree candidates.
The schedule for Recognition Day is as follows:
Saturday, May 14
- Commencement Mass, 4 p.m., Rose Benté Lee Center, Verizon Sports Arena
- Recognition Day Awards Ceremony, 5:30 p.m., Rose Benté Lee Center, Verizon Sports Arena
- President’s Reception, following the awards ceremony, Gerard Phelan Dining Hall
Photo caption
Cardinal Donald Wuerl
