The St. Augustine L E C T U R E
S E R I E S
From L to R: Aiden Jette ’24, Christian Alfieri ’23, Aiden Titcomb ’26, Liam Gildea ‘22, Emmet Surowiec ‘27, Meredith Rodes ’25, Aanya Metpelly ’28, Fr. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A.
St. Augustine Lecture Features Fr. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. The St. Augustine Lecture Series began in 2015 and is designed to enrich the intellectual life of the school community by exposing students to accomplished individuals who share their experiences and lessons learned in life. This year’s lecturer was Fr. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. Born and raised a Roman Catholic in New Hampshire, Fr. Bill felt an early calling to religious life at the age of eight. He was particularly inspired by an Augustinian Friar from Merrimack College who served as a pastor at Fr. Bill’s local parish in Dover, NH. Fr. Bill entered Villanova University in 2010, graduating in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Theology. After graduation, Fr. Bill taught high school Theology and coached basketball in Delaware. After much contemplation and study, Fr. Bill joined the Order of St. Augustine in 2015 through the formation process. Fr. Bill was ordained an Augustinian priest on June 26, 2021, and he accepted his first assignment as the Parochial Vicar, commonly referred to as the Associate Pastor, for the St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. He is one of the youngest Augustinians at the University. His ministry experience and interests include: Augustine and the Augustinian charism, secondary education, retreats, campus ministry, faith formation, as well as sports and spirituality. The overarching message in Fr. Bill’s lecture revolved around this year’s school theme of “Love one another as I have loved you,” and around God piercing our restless hearts. He shared an Instagram post of toddlers having an exchange over whether it is raining or sprinkling. One child makes her point by touching her debate counterpart. The boy clutches his chest declaring, “You poked my heart.” Fr. Bill equated this experience to God poking at our hearts, tapping at us and calling to us. In this description, he referenced the Augustinian symbol of the heart being pierced by an arrow. 24
During his ordination, Fr. Bill said that he felt the pressure to be perfect in his new role, and how the act of pouring the chrism oil (used to consecrate someone or something to God’s service) onto his palms felt overwhelming; how could he keep all of this oil from spilling over and making a mess. He thought to himself, “How can I keep it all together?” As he stood up, the Bishop recognized his concern and said “Bill, let it drip. Just let it drip” It was at that moment that Fr. Bill understood that God was poking at his heart, reassuring him that this was where he was meant to be as a servant of God and to love in this way. Following Fr. Bill’s remarks, Fr. Patrick Armano facilitated students from across the grades for a thoughtful question and answer session with Fr. Bill. Named for Austin Prep’s patron, the St. Augustine Lecture Series is designed to enrich the intellectual life of the school community by exposing our students to accomplished individuals who share their experiences and lessons learned in life. •
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Spring 2022
Brian Montgomery, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary in the Executive Office of President Bush and former Housing & Urban Development Secretary for President Obama Major General Charles W. Whittington, Jr., Deputy Commanding General of Operations in the U.S. First Army Dr. Steven R. DiSalvo, President of Endicott College; Trustee Grace Cotter Regan, the first female President of Boston College High School Fr. Raymond Dlugos, O.S.A., Vice President Mission and Ministry at Merrimack College; Trustee Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, former Executive Director of the National Alliance of Black School Educators and Director of Urban and Minority Relations for the National School Boards Association Fr. Bryan Hehir, the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Religion and Public Life at the Harvard Kennedy School, who is also the Secretary of Health and Social Services on the staff of Cardinal Sean O’Malley in the Archdiocese of Boston
