Should school graduation be part of Mass?

[catechizeme]

Is the passing out of diplomas for a grade school or high school graduation allowed? As well as announcements of valedictorian, other honors, statement by the principal, etc? If so, when during the Mass should this be done? I’ve seen it handled in two ways in my parish – after the homily and after Communion.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

While I doubt there is anything in writing from the Church that explicitly forbids commencement ceremonies during Mass, the fact that “commencement Masses” occur is a sign that too many in our society do whatever they want until someone passes a rule against it. No, commencement ceremonies should not occur during Mass. Commencement ceremonies celebrate the accomplishments of frail human beings. The Mass is the commemoration and re-presentation of Christ’s sacrificial death to save human beings from themselves. The two should not be mixed.

If Catholic schools want to offer a Mass in thanksgiving for the graduation of its students, that is perfectly acceptable. But the Mass should be held separately from the commencement ceremonies. If both must be held on the same day, then the commencement ceremonies could be held either before Mass begins or after it concludes.