Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation 2026

May 19, 2026

On May 14, 2026, Notre Dame Seminary celebrated the graduation of 21 seminarians and lay students during its annual commencement ceremony. The day began with the Baccalaureate Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, followed by the commencement ceremony in Schulte Auditorium, where bachelor’s and master’s degrees were conferred. Graduating class reflections were shared by lay student representative Cassidy Bellard and seminarian representative John Harris.

During the ceremony, Archbishop James Checchio, Chancellor of Notre Dame Seminary, and Fr. Joshua Rodrigue, Rector and President, presented Bishop Simon Peter Engurait with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. A Notre Dame Seminary alumnus, Bishop Engurait was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in 2013 and was ordained and installed as the diocese’s sixth bishop in September 2025.

We congratulate the Class of 2026 and offer our prayers as they continue to answer God’s call and serve His people.

2026 Degree Recipients

Master of Philosophy Degree

Cassidy Bellard

John Harris – Diocese of Baton Rouge

Nicholas Smith – Diocese of Birmingham

Bachelor of Philosophy Degree

Jose Felipe Bejarano Molina – Archdiocese of Atlanta

William Brock – Archdiocese of Atlanta

Ethan Camet – Archdiocese of New Orleans

Graham Descant – Diocese of Alexandria

Seth Dupre – Diocese of Lafayette