Harrison Butker delivered a faith-driven commencement address at Benedictine College, highlighting the challenges faced by the graduating class of 2024 due to the COVID pandemic and emphasizing the importance of staying true to their Catholic faith. He spoke about the impact of bad leadership in society and within the Catholic Church and urged the graduates to be authentic and unapologetically Catholic in a world that often discourages it. Butker stressed the need for leaders in the Church to prioritize their vocations and lead with integrity, rather than giving in to societal pressures or seeking personal comfort.
Butker encouraged the graduates to focus on their own vocations and be intentional in their adherence to Catholic teachings, rather than becoming amateur theologians or seeking approval from others. He cautioned against the chaos within society and the Church, urging for a return to traditional values and teachings. Butker also challenged the graduates to prioritize their faith and their relationship with God, even in the face of societal pressures and challenges.
Speaking specifically to the young women in the audience, Butker emphasized the importance of embracing their vocation as wives and mothers, highlighting the impact his own wife had on his life and career. He urged the women not to buy into diabolical lies about career success and instead prioritize their roles within the family. For the men, Butker encouraged them to be unapologetic in their masculinity, fight against cultural trends that diminish men’s roles, and focus on glorifying God in all aspects of their lives.
Butker shared his personal journey of embracing the traditional Latin Mass and its impact on his spiritual life and encouraged the graduates to consider prioritizing this form of worship in their own lives. He also emphasized the importance of setting themselves up for success by surrounding themselves with people who will challenge and support them in their faith. Butker concluded by reminding the graduates that they are entering a post-God world as missionaries, but with faith and virtue, they can strive to be saints in their own lives.
In his speech, Butker addressed sensitive topics such as abortion, euthanasia, and the need for adherence to Catholic teachings within a society that often pushes against them. He called for a return to traditional Catholic values and teachings, and emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s faith despite societal pressures. Butker’s address was met with applause and support from the audience, and he left the graduates with a message of hope and encouragement as they embarked on their post-graduation journey.
