Traditional service includes 5 faiths

Graduate Danny Barrido arrived at the IU Auditorium on Friday wearing his graduation cap and gown a day before the actual commencement ceremony. \nHe made a point to express that he wasn’t going to take it off, except maybe to sleep. In a sense, Barrido was merely prepping himself for what was to come on Saturday when he graduated. \nAccompanied by the rest of his family, Barrido was one of many graduating seniors to attend the annual baccalaureate ceremony on Friday. \nThe ceremony, which has been a tradition for at least 166 years, takes place the day before graduation. It is a chance for graduates to gather and celebrate in a spiritual observance focused around achievement and aspiration.\nFive flags representing five faiths – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism – were hung above the stage, reflecting the myriad of religions present not only in the crowd, but in the IU community as well. \nThe interfaith ceremony was open to anyone who wanted to attend. Barrido, who is Catholic, said he related more to the religious aspect of the ceremony.\n“Being religious makes you appreciate it more,” he said of the ceremony. He also said anyone could have attended. \nPrayers and songs representing the different faiths were accompanied throughout the ceremony by candle-lighting, gongs and singing. The Jewish a cappella group HooShir also performed at the ceremony.\nStudents representing the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic faiths recited the language of each respective prayer’s origin. \n“We come from a diverse assembly of cultures, countries and faiths,” said Rev. Rebecca Jiménez, who gave the gathering words and the dismissal at the service. “The prayers are of strength, guidance and wisdom for the graduates.”\nJiménez encouraged the different faiths to join together, as the same messages of gratitude and well-wishes to the graduates were present throughout all prayers.\nPatrick O’Meara, Dean for International Programs, gave a message to the graduates and families in attendance.\nIn a short anecdote, he told of how he recently visited a Hallmark store to look at graduation cards. With about 30 cards spread out on a table in front of him, O’Meara said he noticed the good and upbeat messages they all provided, such as “Reach for the stars.”\n“I know you all will do great things,” he said. “As you reach for the stars, respect the beliefs of others. I hope many years from now you can say, ‘This has been a good life and I have lived the good life.’”\nFamily and friends embraced many students with heartfelt hugs following the ceremony.\nFather Bob Keller, a pastor from St. Paul Catholic Center, experienced his second baccalaureate ceremony. \n“Religion fits into the realm of pursuit of values, and higher education is one of those,” he said. “It seems fitting to me to make available the religious aspect to students during graduation.”\nBarrido, who grew up Catholic and participated in various events similar to baccalaureate, said the celebration was just part of the beginning of his life before commencement.\n“It was interesting,” he said. “I’ve never been to anything like it.”