Interfaith Celebration of the Class of 2023
Terras Irradient
“Let them give light to the world”
May 27, 2023 • 10 aM • Johnson Chapel
Baccalaureate marks the religious and spiritual significance of graduation and transition into the next life stage. Religious and Spiritual Life staff and student leaders will offer brief blessings and reflections, and Maytal Saltiel, Associate University Chaplain at Yale, will offer the Baccalaureate address. Musical selections will be performed by the Zumbyes. All members of the Amherst College community, including friends and family, are welcome to attend. Contact Harrison Blum, hblum@amherst.edu, with questions.
Maytal Saltiel focuses on interfaith programs and leadership development. Prior to coming to Yale, Maytal worked as the Repair the World Coordinator at Penn Hillel. Maytal also served as the inaugural president of ACSLHE (Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education).
Program
PRELUDE:
Aria from Cantata No. 1, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Voluntary in G, John Stanley (1712–1786)
Lawrence Picard, organ
Brooks Holmes, trumpet
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
Please stand as you are able.
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Text: Henry van Dyke (1852–1933)
Arranged by Brooks Holmes
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee, Earth and heaven reflect thy rays, Stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began; Love divine is reigning o’er us, binding all within its span. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music leads us sunward, in the triumph song of life. Amen.
WELCOME and LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Harrison Blum, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life
CALL TO SILENCE:
Roshi John Bailes, Buddhist Advisor
CATHOLIC PRAYER:
Deacon Tom Lynch, Catholic Chaplain
CATHOLIC REFLECTION:
Stephanie Zovich, Class of 2023 Newman Club Student Leader
Victoria Foley, Class of 2023, Newman Club and La Fe Student Leader
HUMANIST REFLECTION:
LJ Boswell, Humanist Chaplain
HUMANIST REFLECTION:
Ryan Kyle, Class of 2023, Humanist Group Student Member
MUSICAL SELECTION:
The Zumbyes
CHRISTIAN PRAYER:
The Rev. Shannon Farrand-Bernardin, Christian Chaplain and Interfaith Coordinator
CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS:
Noelani Noël, Class of 2023, Bi-Semester and Gospel Choir Student Leader
Julianne Ross, Class of 2023, Gather Student Leader
MUSLIM REFLECTION:
Yaseen Zarroug, Class of 2023, Muslim Student Association Student Member
HINDU PRAYER:
Manju Sharma, Hindu Chaplain
INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER:
Harrison Blum, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life
BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS:
“Joy as Resistance”
Maytal Saltiel, Associate University Chaplain, Yale University
MUSICAL SELECTION:
The Zumbyes
JEWISH REFLECTIONS:
Emma Daitz, Class of 2023, Amitim Student Leader
Sarah Edelson, Class of 2023, Hillel Student Leader
CALL TO ACTION:
Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer, Jewish Chaplain
CLOSING DO’AA (Supplication):
Omar Dar, Muslim Chaplain
RECESSIONAL:
Please stand as you are able.
“Procesión Alegre,” Gary A. Cornell
Larry Picard, organ
Brooks Holmes, trumpet