Cardinal Tagle Honored at Post-Commencement Luncheon

After receiving an honorary degree at the University’s 148th annual Commencement Exercises and addressing the graduating Class of 2018 with a hopeful message encouraging them to always look out for the “missing in society,” His Eminence Luis Antonio Gokim Cardinal Tagle, D.D., S.Th.D, Metropolitan Bishop of Manila, was honored at a celebratory luncheon held at the Queens campus on Sunday, May 20.

The luncheon, held within The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, capped off a whirlwind 24-hour visit to the University that saw Cardinal Tagle serve as the main celebrant at the annual Student Baccalaureate Mass, visit with the Vincentian Community on campus, and conduct multiple local and international media interviews.

The affair afforded Cardinal Tagle time to mingle with local leaders in the Catholic Church, members of the University’s Board of Trustees and senior leadership, representatives of the local Filipino-American community, and a contingent of his own family members—some of whom travelled from as far away as Virginia to spend some brief time with the globe-travelling prelate.

In his welcoming remarks, Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., President of St. John’s, shared with the audience that Cardinal Tagle can only accept a small percentage of the numerous invitations that he annually receives for speaking engagements and appearances around the world. “What a wonderful way to end the academic year with such a joy-filled Commencement ceremony and such an inspiring message from such a special guest like Cardinal Tagle.”

Cardinal Tagle was introduced at the luncheon by the Most Reverend John O. Barres, S.T.D., J.C. L., D.D., the Bishop of the neighboring Diocese of Rockville Centre.

“Cardinal Tagle is an incredible global figure and it makes sense that he is here for Commencement at St. John’s University because we have a global Catholic mission here.”  He continued, “The Cardinal’s words today about reaching out to the human beings who are forgotten and missing in society is completely in keeping with St. Vincent de Paul’s teaching and the Vincentian philosophy of the University.”

Also in attendance was Ambassador Mario De Leon Jr., the retired Philippine Consulate General in New York. He has known Cardinal Tagle long before his ascent in the leadership of the Catholic Church. 

“When Cardinal Tagle was a newly-ordained priest in the early 1980s and at the height of some challenging times in the Philippines, he was already a lone voice for fighting for human rights and speaking out against injustice in the Philippines,” said the former Ambassador.  “It is who he has always been, and he has always been on the side of the poor and the suffering and that is why he is so beloved.”

The luncheon concluded with Dr. Gempesaw proudly welcoming Cardinal Tagle to the growing ranks of St. John’s University alumni by thanking “this good shepherd” for reminding us of all the work that still must be done. 

“Thank you, Cardinal Tagle, for honoring us with your presence,” said Dr. Gempesaw, “and for sharing your message of inclusion, humility, sincerity, simplicity, and the power of silence which paves the way for attentive listening, compassion, and prayer.”