February 1, 2021
On the eve of the official start of his tenure as the new 18th President of St. John’s University—and joined by supportive members of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians)—Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., celebrated a Mass of Welcome at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens, NY, campus.
“Thank you for being here with me,” he said. “It is very important that we begin this way, in prayer, and that we continue to learn, listen, and follow divine providence.”
Fr. Shanley spoke to a congregation that included Joan Lacagnina ’88CBA, who serves on the Board of Governors, and William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, Chair of the Board of Trustees, along with representation from the weekly Sunday Mass community, students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and staff.
While ongoing COVID-19 guidelines and reduced seating capacity limited the number of in-person attendees, the livestream of the liturgy simultaneously attracted hundreds of remote viewers. The video of the Sunday liturgy continues to draw thousands of views from members of the St. John’s family who are inspired to hear the first homily of the first member of the Dominican Order—formally known as the Order of Preachers—to lead a Vincentian institution.
In his heartfelt message, Fr. Shanley drew repeated parallels to his own life experience and the scripture reading of the day from the Gospel of Mark that describes the story of Jesus teaching as well as curing a possessed man in a Capernaum synagogue.
Embarking from the gospel passage, “What is this? A new teaching with authority,” describing the wonderment of the witnesses to the healing miracle, Fr. Shanley wove together a compelling lesson that spoke to the power and potential of good teachers.
“Powerful teachers have the ability to transform the mind and heart of their students,” stated Fr. Shanley, emphasizing that Jesus was fundamentally a teacher who taught and healed with authority.
“Good teaching has the power to root out evil, to change people’s lives, to make the world a better place,” he continued. “It is important to reflect on teaching. Pray for our teachers, that they might imitate Jesus by teaching with authority and power.”
Reflecting on the role that students have in the learning experience, Fr. Shanley observed, “Listening and hearing are the fundamental activities of a good student. You learn how to listen; you hear what the professor says and have an openness to be able to hear and listen. At the beginning of learning is hearing, and listening leads to dialogue—and that is where active learning dives even deeper.”
Sharing his personal prayer for the students at St. John’s, Fr. Shanley intoned, “My hope and prayer for our students is that they develop more capacious, richer, and more compassionate minds than the ones that they have when they start this semester.”
He continued, “The purpose of education is to learn how to learn. We need to continue to evolve in our learning, and a St. John’s education should equip us to be lifelong learners. I like to think of this campus as a gathering place, where a community of learners go beyond the minds they have. I hope our students are filled with wonder, awe, and amazement this year.”
As the liturgy concluded, Rev. Bernard M. Tracey, C.M. ’70C, Executive Vice President for Mission, extended formal words of welcome. “On behalf of the St. John’s University and Vincentian communities, we are happy to have you here. This is now your home court.”
Sharing an apropos quote from St. Vincent de Paul to describe Fr. Shanley’s path to the Presidency, Fr. Tracey proclaimed, “What great hidden treasures are in holy providence, and how marvelously our Lord is honored by those who follow it!”
“We thank you, Fr. Shanley, for following that call to become President of St. John’s, and we welcome you.”