Baccalaureate Tickets Q&A

The Candlelight Service of Worship and Celebration is a worship event held the evening before the Commencement ceremony that provides an opportunity to remember, reflect and give thanks for God's faithfulness in the education of Messiah's graduating seniors. Seating is limited in Brubaker Auditorium, and--due to the popularity of this event--it is ticketed so that the University may ensure priority seating for graduating seniors and their families.

Each graduating senior will be allotted one (1) ticket for him/herself to attend plus two (2) additional tickets for family members/guests (3 three tickets total).

Yes, the University will provide a livestream of the service which may be viewed at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/messiahadmin/.

Yes, it is very important for graduating seniors to note that they will need a ticket to attend.

Messiah will be distributing tickets for Candlelight Service of Worship and Celebration and the inclement weather/indoor Commencement plan via the University's Box Office online ticketing agent, called PurplePass. On Monday, April 28, graduates can begin ordering tickets for both the Candleight Service and the Commencement indoor ceremony option. Graduates are encouraged to plan ahead and order their tickets in advance.

Tickets for the Candlelight Service and the inclement weather/indoor Commencement ceremony can be ordered onlne through these links beginning on April 28:

• Order Candlelight Service tickets (3 tickets maximum)
• Order inclement weather/indoor Commencement ceremony tickets (5 tickets maximum) NOTE: You must select either the 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Commencement ceremony based on your assignment by academic department.

Questions about the ticket ordering process may be directed to the Messiah University Box Office via phone at (717) 691-6036, Option #1; or via mail at: tickets@messiah.edu.

How may graduates share tickets with their guests?

With this online ticketing method, graduates can directly distribute tickets to their guests. Using your student ID number, graduates can place multiple orders using different guest email addresses for ease of distribution. Your student ID will allow a TOTAL of three (3) tickets for the Candlelight Service of Worship and Celebration and five (5) tickets for the indoor Commencement ceremony.

Each guest entering Brubaker Auditorium for the Candlelight Service and indoor Commencement, will have their ticket scanned. Guests with invalid tickets, including tickets that have already been used/scanned by someone else, will not be admitted. Graduates may also distribute tickets to their guests by printing them or sharing a screenshot of the ticket (which must include the barcode) via text or email. However, it is important to remember that individual tickets may not be scanned for entry more than once.

Candlelight Service tickets are designated for either lower-level seating or balcony level in Brubaker Auditorium. If you or your guests have an accessibility issue that does not allow for climbing stairs in balcony seating, you will need lower-level seating, which includes bleacher seating and floor-level seating. Selection of lower-level or balcony level seating is first-come, first-serve. It is the graduate's responsibility to order tickets as early as possible if lower-level tickets are needed for themselves or their guests.

Graduates who have a disability or special needs, or who have guests with special needs, are asked to contact the Office of Conference and Event Services at (717) 691-6009 as soon as possible, but no less than 2-3 weeks in advance, with any special assistance requests. This helps ensure that we have the time we need to help meet your needs and to help you enjoy your experience at Commencement.

Guests who would like the aid of an assisted listening device during the Candlelight Service in Brubaker Auditorium may request one that evening at the Ticket Office located in the ground floor of Eisenhower Campus Center. (No advance arrangements are necessary.)

All Candlelight Service tickets are general admission. Seats are not reserved by seat numbers, which is why it is important for groups who wish to sit together to enter the venue together.

Yes, if you are not using your tickets for the Candlelight Service, you are able to give them to whomever you choose. However, you are still required to order the tickets online using your student ID before giving them away. University staff members are not authorized to give a graduate's tickets to someone else on their behalf, i.e., you will not be able to "leave a ticket" for someone to pick up.

It is very important to remember that all graduating seniors must have a ticket to attend the Candlelight Service. So even if you are giving away your extra guest tickets-you must keep a ticket for yourself if you would like to attend the service.

It is very important to note that all Candlelight Service tickets are non-replaceable, and cannot be re-issued if lost. Graduating seniors and their guests are urged to keep their tickets in a safe place and be sure to bring them the evening of the event. To ensure fair circumstances for everyone, all graduates and their guests will be required to show a ticket for entry into the service.

Yes, but only after 5 p.m. on the day of the service. After that time, tickets that have not been picked up by graduating seniors will be released on a first-come, first-served basis at the Box Office, located in the ground floor lobby of Eisenhower Campus Center, to anyone who would like to attend (maximum of two tickets per person).

The Box Office does not manage a "wait list" or a "will call" window for Baccalaureate tickets. However, graduates and others who wish to secure additional tickets for Baccalaureate do have other options as described above.

No. Tickets are not required for the dessert reception that follows the Candlelight Service of Worship and Celebration.