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

St. John’s University recently hosted the Vincentian Heritage Lecture as part of its annual Founder’s Week, focusing on the university’s ongoing connection to St. Vincent de Paul and his values. The event took place on September 23 in the Belson Moot Courtroom at the School of Law.

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, NJ, delivered a lecture titled “Through St. Vincent’s Eyes and Heart: Vincentian Catholic Higher Education Today.” Bishop O’Connell is a former administrator at St. John’s University and previously served as Dean of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“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,” said Bishop O’Connell during his address.

He emphasized that from its founding, St. John’s has incorporated Vincentian values into its approach to Catholic education, based on the principles established by St. Vincent de Paul.

Bishop O’Connell noted that while there are fewer Vincentian priests holding senior roles than when he joined the university in 1990, the institution's commitment to its mission remains strong: “In many respects, they seem to me stronger than ever,” he said.

He explained that programs such as Founder’s Week, lectures from the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice, and initiatives like the Vincentian Mission Orientation help keep these values present for students, faculty, administrators, and staff.

“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,” Bishop O’Connell said.

During a question-and-answer session with attendees from across campus, Bishop O’Connell addressed how Catholic universities can make their message relevant for non-Christians: “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... but we speak the truth as we know it... 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 by stressing: “What difference does it make to be Catholic? It’s not just a name. It’s not just identity... It is something that we have to pursue with passion.”