SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
SAMUEL ALITO DELIVERS PFIC COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
By Br . Barnabas McHenry , O . P .
Justice Samuel Alito receives St . Dominic Medal from PFIC President Fr . John Langlois , O . P . Photo by Matthew Barrick
On May 12 , the PFIC was pleased to have the Honorable Samuel Anthony Alito , Jr ., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States , as its commencement speaker in this 75th anniversary year as a Pontifical Faculty .
The PFIC has previously been visited by justices of the “ Highest Court in the Land .” Justice Alito had joined the late Justice Antonin Scalia at the PFIC in January of 2016 for a lecture and dinner in honor of the Order ’ s 800th Jubilee .
During the commencement exercises , the PFIC presented Justice Alito with the Saint Dominic Medal , awarded to an individual who , through demonstrated competency in his life ’ s work , has advanced the ideals of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception , thus bringing honor and recognition to the charism of the Dominican Order . As a man dedicated to universal truth in the adjudication of civic law , Justice Alito has demonstrated the timeless principles preached by the Dominican Order since its inception .
In his remarks to the assembled faculty , graduates , and friends , Justice Alito traced out his view for the future of the Catholic Church
in the public square . Though we currently live in an era of increasing secularism and disbelief , there is still a longing in many human hearts for transcendent meaning and vocation . Justice Alito noted that nurturing this deep desire in people is a task particularly suited to the Order of Preachers and those who have been formed in a Thomistic course of studies here at the PFIC .
He recalled , on a recent trip to China , being told by a local resident that the Catholic Church is respected there as the “ Church of Reasons ,” since the faithful can give rational testimony for their beliefs . Like the Apostles of the early Church and Dominican missionaries who followed centuries later , we are still called today to “ always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope which is in you .” ( 1 Peter 3:15 )
Looking out across the choir stalls , Justice Alito expressed hope that these future leaders — the 2017 PFIC graduates whom you have supported — might find innovative and convincing ways to preach the Gospel with joy and confidence to people thirsting for the Good News of Jesus Christ .
Faith & Reason - Volume IV , Issue II