Saint Joseph Seminary College recognized 25 students Friday during the 133rd Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises at Saint Joseph Abbey Church.

Nineteen students received a Bachelor of Arts degrees. Six students completed the school’s two-year pre-theology program, designed primarily for second-career candidates or other college graduates who did not previously participate in a seminary formation program but are now preparing to enter a Roman Catholic theologate.

The Rev. Higinio Rosolen, a priest with the Diocese of St. Petersburg, gave the commencement address. Fr. Higinio, originally from Argentina, joined the SJSC staff in January 2023 and currently serves as professor, spiritual director for the Propaedeutic program, and coordinator of Intellectual Formation.

The Class of 1964 Fr. Paul Miranne Service Award, presented to a graduate who, during his years at Saint Joseph Seminary College, has performed quiet service, without publicity or fanfare, was also awarded during the ceremony. The Very Rev. Matthew Clark, O.S.B., President-Rector of Saint Joseph Seminary College, presented the award to Hilario Martinez.

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans and Chancellor of Saint Joseph Seminary College, and Clark presented diplomas and certificates to graduates. Dr. Casey Edler, Academic Dean, presented the academic hoods.

The following students received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts: Edward Charles Bergeron III, Archdiocese of New Orleans; Ruben Castaneda, Archdiocese of Mobile; Chad Nelson Cheramie Jr., Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Isaac Cruz, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Grayson Rowe Foley, Diocese of Jackson (cum laude); Benjamin Christopher Harris, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Jose Brian Jasso, Diocese of Dallas; Leo Anthony Kaiser, Diocese of Fort Worth (summa cum laude); Caleb Xavier Malec, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Hilario Martinez, Diocese of Dallas (cum laude); Peter Minh Nguyen, Diocese of Fort Worth (summa cum laude); Austin Ryan Smith, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Jacob Lynn Thomas, Diocese of Beaumont (magna cum laude); Jimmy Alexander Venegas, Diocese of El Paso; and Jacob Anthony Zimmerer, Diocese of Fort Worth (cum laude).

The following students received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Theological Studies: Cody Abbott, Diocese of Orlando; Carter Joseph Domingue, Diocese of Lafayette (magna cum laude); Michael Paul Johnson, Diocese of Lafayette (summa cum laude); and Xavier Polisetty, Diocese of Fort Worth (summa cum laude).

The following students received a Certificate of Completion in the Pre-Theology Program: Benjamin E. Aler, Diocese of Savannah; Christian Corulli, Diocese of Savannah; Nicholas Paul Hoelscher, Diocese of Fort Worth; Ian John Kenny, Saint Joseph Abbey; Giovanni Clement Ranzino, Diocese of Lafayette; and Lane Jeffry Tschirhart, Diocese of Fort Worth.