September 29, 2011
Most Rev. David O’Connell, Bishop of Trenton (NJ) Gives Vincentian
Chair of Social Justice Lecture
“What would Vincent do now?” Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University, asked during
his remarks at the 2011 Vincentian Convocation held on Monday,
Sept. 26 on the eve of the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. “I suggest
the answers to that question sit before you, the individuals who
are honored tonight are the answers to that question.”
The individuals Rev. Harrington, C.M. was
referring to were the esteemed honorees gathered in St. Thomas More
Church for the Vincentian Convocation, the cornerstone event of the
University’s annual Founder’s Week celebration. Among them,
His Excellency Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary, Holy See’s
Relations with States, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws
degree by the University for his work in championing peace and
unity and spreading the word of Christ throughout the world.
“The
theme of this convocation named after Saint Vincent speaks of
embracing charity and promoting peace,” said Archbishop Mamberti of
this year’s St. John’s convocation. “It is a particularly
significant theme, especially since just a few weeks ago we
commemorated the painful anniversary of September 11th,
2001.”
Photo Gallery
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.,
J.C.D., Bishop of Trenton (NJ) and Member of the St. John’s
University Board of Trustees, was presented with the Gold Medal,
the highest honor the University may bestow on a non-alumnus, and
Rev. Gerard H. Luttenberger, C.M., S.T.D, Director of Formation and
Vocations, Eastern Province, Congregation of the Mission and Member
of the Board of Trustees, St. John’s, had the Honorary degree of
Doctor of Divinity conferred upon him. All of the evening’s
honorees were selected for their work, both personally and
professionally, in carrying out the messages of both Jesus Christ
and St. Vincent de Paul and for fulfilling the Mission of St.
John’s University. The following individuals were also honored:
- Vincentian Mission Award: Rino Grzinic ‘77SVC,
Associate Director of Development, St. John’s
- Caritas Medal: Gary S. Carter, LCSW, Executive
Director, Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service,
Inc.
- St. Vincent de Paul Medal: Josiah K. Mooney ‘02C,
‘03G, Catholic Missionary
- President’s Medal: Sister Patricia Ann O’Brien,
D.C., Campus Minister, St. John’s University
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal: Gladys E. Garcia
‘96CBA, Church and Parish Ministry, Diocese of
Brooklyn.
Bishop O’Connell, C.M., delivered the
Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture to a capacity crowd in
St. Thomas More Church earlier in the day, and quoted the
Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas et Veritate, in
saying “charity and love are at the heart of our Church’s social
doctrine.” This same message that was shared by Pope Benedict XVI
in 2009, O’Connell explained, has been delivered to us throughout
the history of the Catholic faith, first from Jesus Christ, then
again in the Gospels, and reiterated throughout time, including by
St. Vincent de Paul in the 17th century and many of the
Popes throughout our Church’s history.
“The Church’s Social Doctrine has become a
rich treasure of wisdom in building a just society and living lives
of holiness amidst a modern society,” said Bishop O’Connell, C.M..
“It is our responsibility, in our world, in our day to build a
civilization of love. Building a civilization of love is really the
only path to true justice. When we are gone, God will ask us one
thing…‘Did you Love?’”
St. Vincent de Paul founded the Vincentian
order which seeks to empower others to change the world through the
practices of charity and social justice. As a Vincentian
university, St. John’s is committed to following St. Vincent’s
teachings, which emphasize respect for the individual, service to
the needy, human solidarity and adherence to the belief that giving
of one’s self helps make the world a better place.
For more Founder’s Week information and a
calendar of remaining events visit the St. John’s University
website at www.stjohns.edu/foundersweek.
Interested media looking for more information
about Bishop O’Connell’s lecture or event specifics please contact
Elizabeth Reilly, Associate Director of Media Relations at St.
John’s University by calling 718.990.5789 or e-mail inquiries to reillye@stjohns.edu.