Bishop Robert Barron to be Catholic University’s 2025 Commencement Speaker

Bishop Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, acclaimed author, and bishop of Winona-Rochester, will serve as the 2025 commencement speaker for his alma mater, The Catholic University of America. 

The ceremony will be held May 17, 10 a.m., on the University’s Washington, D.C., campus. Approximately 1,300 degrees will be awarded to undergraduates and graduates this year. 

"Bishop Barron has spent his life illuminating Catholic teachings and making them accessible to millions of people around the world through his books, videos, and social media presence," said University President Peter Kilpatrick. 

"His ability to engage modern culture while faithfully presenting the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition embodies what we strive to instill in our students. His call to evangelize through beauty, goodness, and truth will provide powerful inspiration for our graduating class as they prepare to lead with light in their future endeavors."

About Bishop Barron

Bishop Barron, who will also receive an honorary degree from the University, along with five other notable individuals, is widely recognized for his Word on Fire ministry and his pioneering use of digital media for evangelization. His YouTube channel has nearly 2 million subscribers, and his award-winning documentary series "CATHOLICISM" has been broadcast on public television stations nationwide. 

A Catholic University alumnus (B.A. 1981, M.A. 1982), Bishop Barron studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas before being ordained to the priesthood in 1986. He served as rector of Mundelein Seminary in Chicago and was appointed auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles in 2015 before being appointed bishop of Winona-Rochester in 2022.

“I am honored to accept The Catholic University of America’s invitation to deliver an address during this year’s commencement ceremony,” Bishop Barron said. “As I return to my alma mater, I am confident that the newest generation of graduates are well prepared to become great Catholic professionals eager to sanctify the world.”

The University will confer honorary degrees on five other individuals:

• Archbishop Vicken Aykazian – Diocesan legate and ecumenical director for the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America who has served as president of the National Council of Churches, advocated for Christian minorities in the Middle East, and championed ecumenical dialogue for decades.
• Monsignor John Enzler – Former president of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington and founder of multiple outreach programs, including Potomac Community Resources and the Shepherd Foundation, known for his motto "say yes" to anyone in need.
• Jeanne Mancini – Former president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund who has expanded the organization's advocacy beyond the national march to include state-level initiatives and programs promoting the dignity of human life at all stages.
• Steven Muncy, DrPH – Alumnus and founder of Community and Family Services International and 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient who has dedicated over four decades to supporting refugees and displaced persons across Southeast Asia.
• U.S. Representative Christopher Smith – The longest-serving member of New Jersey's congressional delegation, a committed and passionate advocate for the unborn, also known for authoring significant human rights legislation, including the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.