Introduction

The senior reflection is a highlight of Marquette’s Baccalaureate liturgy. One senior is selected to give a 3-4 minute reflection at the close of the Baccalaureate Mass. The following criteria have been developed for the selection process.

Selection Criteria

• Familiarity with the university’s mission statement and ability to articulate how it has impacted your educational experience.
• Ability to speak to the general experience of you and your peers (i.e., going beyond “my” experience).
• Ability to speak well in a very large public place.
• Ability to integrate the Scripture readings and themes into your reflection.
• Participation in multiple and diverse Marquette activities.
• Ability to meet with a campus minister to develop your reflection.

Here is a process to help you as you prepare your reflection:

• Set aside some time to spend in prayer and reflection with God.
• Make a list of the experiences that have most profoundly shaped you, those for which you are most grateful, and the lessons learned which you think would also connect to the experiences of your classmates.
• Prayerfully read through the Scripture readings for the day of the liturgy and jot down a few themes that strike you.
  • 1st – Jeremiah 29:11-14
  • Psalm 145 (I will praise your name forever, my King and my God.)
  • 2nd – Romans 8:31b-39
  • Gospel – John 15:9-17 
• Reflect upon how your experience and the experiences of your fellow graduates are connected to the university’s mission as a Catholic, Jesuit University and to the Scriptures.
• From these reflections choose a theme or phrase to focus upon for your written reflection.
• Create an outline that flows from this theme or phrase.

Things to keep in mind

When crafting your reflection, there are some important things to keep in mind:

• Stay focused on your theme throughout your reflection.
• The senior reflection is not intended to be a homily. Use the Scripture readings as a jumping off point, not the topic of your reflection.
• Since your time is limited, it is best to focus on a couple of important points rather than a number of points.
• Although it is good to illustrate your thoughts with examples, avoid the use of too many “I” statements so that you can connect with the general experience of your classmates. "We" statements are helpful.
• It is important that your talk is well-organized, but it is meant to be spoken, unlike reading a paper. Keep your sentences relatively short and crafted in a way that engages the assembly.
• Practice in front of your friends or in front of a mirror to get a sense of the flow of your talk (i.e., when to pause, etc.) and how it sounds when spoken out loud.
• Time yourself — reading your written text out loud may take you a bit longer than you think.
• Speak from your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you!

Deadline

Please submit your completed application using this online form. The application deadline is Sunday, April 23.

Once the online form is submitted, we will contact you to confirm an audition time between April 24-28, during which you will bring and deliver your reflection. You will be notified about whether you have been selected after all applicants have auditioned.