I would like to start by thanking everyone for your presence here today. On behalf of the graduates of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, I extend a warm welcome to: His Excellency Archbishop Prendergast, our chaplain Fr. Paul Burchat, Fr. Shalla and Fr. Thomasz, Fr. David May, Fr. Pelton, and Fr. LeRoux; Deacon Chabot and his wife Anne; Deacon Bob Probert and his wife Lois and Deacon Dauvin; our M.P. Cheryl Gallant, our M.P.P John Yakabuski our president Dr. David Warner and his wife Patrice; the members of the Academy’s Board of Directors, members of the Academic Senate, members of the faculty and staff, my fellow students, and all the families and friends of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, whom I have the honour of addressing this afternoon.

When I learned just last week that I was going to have the honour of giving this valedictorian address to you today, the first question that came to my mind was: what am I going to talk about? I was informed that since the valedictorian at the Academy is chosen based on academic merit, I should focus primarily on the academics at the school—what I have learned over the past three years. I thought to myself—O.K.—well, I’ve been at this institution for the past three years and, given the Academy’s rigorous academic character, which I’m sure you hear lots about from my fellow students, I’ve learned a great amount. But when I thought about the speech more, the School’s motto popped into my mind, Veritas Vos Liberabit, Latin for “The Truth Will Set You Free.” Then I thought back to the first time I heard that phrase, way back in first year. What did I think that it meant three years ago? Well, I figured that truth is what you tell someone instead of a lie, so if you tell the truth, you’ll be free from the punishment you would receive if you told a lie. Wow, I was such an amazing philosopher back then, or so I probably thought.

When I thought about the motto again last week, with the abundance of wisdom held by all third year Academy students, I realized that maybe I didn’t totally exhaust the wisdom of that infinitely deep, Scripture based motto in my first year. When I thought about it again I realized that the truth that the Academy’s motto refers to, which is taken from the Gospel of John, is not just a negative command—not to lie—the truth, rather, is a positive thing. The truth is, first and foremost, Revelation: the Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church. And this truth not only sets us free from punishment for lying, but sets us free in a fuller sense. The truth sets us free, primarily, from eternal death and leads us to everlasting life. The truth also sets us free from the pressure to live up to the standards of this world: we don’t have to be millionaires, movie stars or famous sports figures in order to live a happy life. All we have to do is to live out that truth, practicing love towards God and neighbour. Truth also gives us answers to the most important questions like: why do people suffer and what is the purpose of life? Worldly questions such as: how can I maximize my investments in order to retire at fifty-five, all of a sudden lose their importance in light of the truth. This is the type of wisdom that we as students have gained at this incredible institution over the past years.

Reflecting on all these things made me realize how much we have learned here at the Academy, and how ignorant I was, in particular, when I came as a freshman. The Academy’s Liberal Arts program truly frees the mind through teaching the truth. Although the majority of what we have learned over the past years has occurred in the classroom, this school definitely forms the whole person in the truth. We have indeed learned much about revelation, philosophy, history and other such things over the years; but lots of wisdom has also been gained through daily interaction with our peers, the teachers and the staff, the amazing priests in the community, and the people and parishioners of St. Hedwig and the community of Barry’s Bay. We engage in sports all year round, even playing hockey outdoors in the minus twenty degree Canadian winter. Student chores are also a special formative aspect of Academy life, which help the students interact with each other on a more domestic level and ensure a healthy variety of labour. The personal relationships that we as students share with the teachers and their families are also an invaluable part of our formation. For example, it’s always a pleasure to have teachers and their families at meals, with us. We have also learned how beneficial frequent use of the sacraments is, as well as a healthy prayer life, for there is no point in knowledge without Christ. Thus, although the Academy is primarily an academic institution, I cannot, in fact, speak of the academics divorced from all the other formative elements that the school offers.

Now this past year in particular has been one of the most difficult in the School’s history, because, as you know, we lost two first-year students, Janine Lieu and Paul Sanders, in a tragic accident. Most students, including myself, were very surprised at how fast the School got over the tragedy, and wondered why this was the case. Now, when I say we got over it I do not mean that people stopped grieving, but only that classes resumed, and students returned to their studies. Many commented on how strongly the school bounced back from such a great tragedy and were very impressed at how everything was handled. When I thought about the accident again I realized why this was the case. It is precisely due to the fact that we as Catholics have the truth. This truth sets us free from despairing over the death of loved ones, because we know that they are in the hands of our all-just, but also all-loving God, and will hopefully soon enter into eternal life. People without faith do not have this assurance, and will very easily, lose hope. I ask all of you, then, to continue praying for the souls of Janine and Paul, their families and all who were involved in the accident.   

And so, I turn now to my fellow students and especially all the graduates and those leaving this institution. We did it. We successfully lived up to the standards that the Academy in her wisdom has challenged us with. We have learned the truth that Christ promises will set us free. But now we cannot just keep that truth shut up inside of us; we now have a great responsibility that the truth places upon us. We must venture forth from the welcoming arms of this school community into the world, which will not welcome us in the same way. We must witness to the world so that the truth that has set us free may, likewise, set others free. I know that many of you are going on to finish your degrees or continue your studies at Redeemer University, and you in particular are going to be required to witness to your Catholic faith among our brothers in Christ. You will be required, as St. Francis said, to preach the Gospel, and use words when necessary. 

In conclusion, I want to first express my personal gratitude to all who have made my time spent here at the Academy a truly life-changing experience. And on behalf of all the students I would like to thank, first and foremost, all our excellent professors who sacrifice so much for us in their position, which is really an Apostolate. Both their lessons and their life example have been truly inspirational. Next, we would like to express our gratitude to all the staff, including our cooks Rachel and Mrs. Chabot We would also like to thank the exceptional priests who are an integral part of this institution; especially Fr. Burchat, Fr. Shalla and Fr. Tomasz who are particularly involved. We also must thank our loving families who have always showed us love and support as we pursued our exceptionally lucrative Liberal Arts certificates. Finally we thank our loving Patroness, Mary, who is Seat of Wisdom. It is she who both brings her son Christ to us and leads us to Him, who is the truth that will set us free.

Thank you, and God Bless
Nikolaas Zylstra