Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University recently hosted its annual Vincentian Heritage Lecture, highlighting the enduring connection between the institution and St. Vincent de Paul. The event took place on September 23 as part of Founder’s Week celebrations, with Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, NJ, delivering the keynote address.

Bishop O’Connell, a former administrator at St. John’s University who has held positions including Dean of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spoke about the influence of St. Vincent de Paul on Catholic higher education at the university since its founding in 1870.

“That vision continues to have a profound influence on higher education here at St. John’s University, identifying its mission and shaping its values and practices in concrete ways since 1870,” Bishop O’Connell said during his lecture titled “Through St. Vincent’s Eyes and Heart: Vincentian Catholic Higher Education Today.”

He emphasized that from its beginnings as St. John’s College, the university has embodied Vincentian values through its educational approach rooted in the ideals and works of St. Vincent de Paul.

While acknowledging changes over time—including fewer Vincentian priests in leadership roles—Bishop O’Connell noted that the university's identity remains consistent: “In many respects, they seem to me stronger than ever,” he said.

Bishop O’Connell explained that despite these shifts, programs such as those run by the Vincentian Center for Church and Society, Founder’s Week events, lectures by holders of the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice, and orientation initiatives help keep St. Vincent's legacy active within campus life.

“These initiatives help ensure that the Vincentian mission is integrated into the University’s activities and that members of the University community can articulate and embody it in their roles,” he said.

During a question-and-answer session with students, faculty, administrators, and staff following his talk, Bishop O’Connell addressed how Catholic universities present their mission to non-Christian members: “I think our mission is very attractive, and would be attractive to just about anybody, in terms of service to the poor and service to human dignity.”

He added: “I think we must present what we believe, in the way we believe it, to the campus community. We present St. Vincent to the campus. We invite people to know and understand our grasp of the truth and our sense of faith, and we encourage them. We’re not trying to convert people, although if they do join us, that’s a wonderful thing, but we speak the truth as we know it. And where do we find our truth? We find it in the scripture. We find it in the tradition. We find it in the teaching. We find it in the practice of good people who continue to serve and worship in the Church. I think you just keep talking about it and encouraging people to listen.”

On maintaining Catholic identity at St. John’s University he stated: “You can’t shy away from it. You must present it. This is what we are. This is what we will continue to be—and we want you to join in that pursuit. We’re talking about our faith. We’re talking about our teaching. We’re talking about our tradition.”

He concluded: “What difference does it make to be Catholic? It’s not just a name. It’s not just identity. It’s not just a throwaway. It is something that we have to pursue with passion.”