Gregory Boyle, S.J., to speak at
First Year Academic Convocation
Jesuit priest Gregory Boyle, S.J., a bestselling author and the founder of Homeboy Industries鈥攖he world鈥檚 largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program鈥攚ill be the featured speaker at Boston College鈥檚 First Year Academic Convocation on September 4 in Conte Forum.
Academic Convocation welcomes first-year students into BC鈥檚 academic community and launches Conversations in the First Year, which engages the University鈥檚 newest students in an intellectual and reflective dialogue through a common text. According to organizers, 鈥渢he shared experience embodies the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition at Boston College, which calls us to examine our faith and experience in conversation with others in order to pursue the greater glory of God.鈥� Established in 2004, Academic Convocation is organized by the Office of First Year Experience, a division of University Mission and Ministry.
Chris Darcy
Fr. Boyle will speak on themes of his latest book, Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times, the common text for the Class of 2029.
Cherished Belonging invites readers to seek a community of kinship, 鈥淕od鈥檚 dream come true,鈥� where there is no 鈥渦s鈥� and 鈥渢hem,鈥� just 鈥渦s.鈥�
Fr. Boyle is a Boston College alumnus, having received a M.Div. in 1984 from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, which reaffiliated with the University in 2008 to form the Clough School of Theology and Ministry. CSTM honored Fr. Boyle with its Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2021. He began Homeboy Industries while serving as a pastor for Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles. For more than 30 years, Homeboy Industries has helped formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals who seek to change the arc of their lives. It serves thousands of people, providing free services that include educational, mental health, recovery, legal services, job training, tattoo removal, and more.
Fr. Boyle is also the author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion and The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, among other titles. In 2024, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"We are looking forward to welcoming Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., back to Boston College," said First Year Experience Director Christopher J.聽Darcy. "His book, Cherished Belonging, emphasizes the importance of kindness and connection while recognizing the inherent goodness and shared belonging that each of us holds. This is an important and fitting message for First Year Academic Convocation as our incoming students begin their journey and embrace our motto of Ever to Excel."
Preceding Fr. Boyle鈥檚 talk will be the First Flight Procession, which begins at 6 p.m. with the gathering of new students鈥攊ncluding first-year undergraduates, new Messina College students, and transfer students鈥攐n Linden Lane, where senior leaders of the University will challenge the students to follow the charge of St. Ignatius to 鈥淕o set the world aflame.鈥�
University President William P. Leahy, S.J., and Darcy will address the audience at Conte Forum, ahead of Fr. Boyle鈥檚 presentation. The event is open to the University community.
鈥淎 Jesuit education presents students with the unique opportunity to embrace their gifts, talents, and experiences,鈥� said Darcy. 鈥淭hrough formative experiences inside the classroom and outside, the hope is for students to discern, reflect, and act on what they鈥檝e learned and experienced. The convocation allows our students to be present in a way that challenges their intellectual, spiritual, and social selves.鈥�