Notre Dame Commencement 2017: Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, S. J.'s Laetare Speech

Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J., speaks after receiving the 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics at Notre Dame's 172nd Commencement Ceremony on May 21, 2017.
"For nearly 30 years, Father Boyle has served men and women who have been incarcerated and involved with gangs, and, in doing so, has helped them to discover the strength and hope necessary to transform their lives,” said Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. “Father Boyle’s solidarity with our sisters and brothers at the margins of society offers an inspiring model of faith in action. We are grateful for the witness of his life and honored to bestow this award on him.”

[@connycarusohutchinson9376]

Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J., is a living saint. No pretense, no artificiality, just uncommon love and spiritual generosity. I know, through experience due to my 6-year tenure as a volunteer at Homeboy Industries. G, I love you, treasure you, experience you, through the results of the continuous success of the Homeboy Industries Foundation. We, at HBI, are grateful. I as a volunteer love my homies!

[@ST-kr7hz]

What a incredible person. Nothing but love from this man

[@fromtheinvisibledeskofmiked]

He see's the true light at the end of Tunnel.

[@faithwhitmore2964]

I love and so appreciate Father G

[@fromtheinvisibledeskofmiked]

He's great I saw at the beginning of homeboy industries era. He give such a great speech it left me at Awed. Long Life Kindness

[@williamdawahare4116]

These speeches were overwhelming. So powerful, all the speakers. The political inferences were minimal and not disrespectful. The messages were so powerful regarding love, service, tolerance, inclusion, dialogue, and all the qualities our society has seemed to misplace lately. Well done ND!

[@SedonaMasters]

Best Commencement speech I've heard.

[@eboethrasher]

Damn. That's inspirational.

[@kates6371]

I am so inspired by this man

[@barbaratedrow7403]

Inspiring talk....after seeing the Lithuanian movie...".Emilia " yesterday in Atlanta...can't help but think of the intense suffering that goes with being invisible ....

[@EastLosAngeles1964classic]

No coincidence last name is Boyle an his a saint in Boyle Heights

[@AlejandroRodriguez-pd1tz]

that's what he does says stories from the barrios of Boyle Heights!!!

[@DiegoSanchez-ro8fc]

very moving speech , what will the audience take from the speech, nothing. they were just waiting for their lunch. feeling better and magnanimous about their latino "friends" very moving.

[@NYGiantsDiEhArD]

Funny how he's preaching general inclusivity and not leaving anyone on the margins, and yet, this is one of the most worldly-ambitious, *selective* schools in the country.

[@eltopo718]

This guy is talking profane language in a catholic university shame on you , then he's talking about Jeremiah

[@damnmuggle]

socialcristiano mundial you must know nothing about him.

[@davidjonathannn950]

socialcristiano mundial Catholics worship idols 😂 statues that don't move don't breath and are called god IQ level 1

[@kenmurray8476]

He is QUOTING profane language, the language of the average person, to make a point.

[@fromtheinvisibledeskofmiked]

You just write this get attention, give props to Father G. For his act of love and kindness.

[@fatherscottalbergate]

Grow up