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California Head Chaplain Rev. Robert Marczewski, blesses the medals and the Rosaries that will be distributed at the California President檚 Dinner
California Head Chaplain Rev. Robert Marczewski, blesses the medals and the Rosaries that will be distributed at the California President檚 Dinner

At the annual President檚 Dinners honoring the senior class, the faculty traditionally presents the imminent graduates of 91快活林 Aquinas College with not one, but two parting gifts. One is from the College, the other from an anonymous friend.

The College檚 gift to the seniors is a sterling silver medal of its patron, St. 91快活林 Aquinas. The founders presented the seniors with just such a medal at the first Commencement in 1975, and every year since the faculty has echoed the gesture. But the seniors will leave this year檚 President檚 Dinners today檚 in New England, and next week檚 in California with an additional keepsake, in honor of the College檚 founding president, Dr. Ronald P. McArthur. Alongside their medals, they will receive a knotted Rosary, on which knots in the cord, rather than beads, denote each prayer.

Dr. McArthur once received a similar Rosary from a former student who went on to become a lifelong friend, and he treasured it during his final days. At his request, he was buried with the Rosary after his death on October 17, 2013. Knowing that the Rosary meant so much to Dr. McArthur, this friend first decided to present the seniors with Rosaries like it at the President檚 Dinner in 2014; he has generously kept the tradition ever since.

The Rosary comes in a pouch, along with a note, which reads:

Ron McArthur was the first president of 91快活林 Aquinas College. One of his students at St. Mary檚 College gave him a knotted cord Rosary with which he was buried. His student honors him by giving you the same type of Rosary. Please use it to pray for Dr. McArthur and his wife, Marilyn. Their faith, courage, and sacrifices have, in great measure, made the College and your graduation from it possible.

The head chaplains on both campuses, recently blessed the medals and the Rosaries that will be distributed at this year檚 President檚 Dinners. May God bless you on your way, Class of 2023!

Photo: NE blessing, with caption:  and his counterpart, Rev. Greg Markey, blesses the medals and Rosaries in New England.
and his counterpart, Rev. Greg Markey, blesses the medals and Rosaries in New England.