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Cardinal McElroy Visits Gonzaga During Ignatian Heritage Day
On Wednesday, April 22, the Gonzaga community came together to celebrate Ignatian Heritage Day, which invited students to reflect and act on Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s call to be just and loving. The day began with a schoolwide Mass, celebrated by His Eminence Robert Cardinal McElroy, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington. It was Cardinal McElroy’s first visit to Gonzaga since his arrival in DC in 2025, and he was accompanied by his Priest Secretary, Fr. Thomas Robertson ’11, who was delighted to be back in St. Al’s.
In his homily, Cardinal McElroy told the story of a French priest in World War II who hid a Jewish boy among the students at his school to protect him from the Nazis at the request of his dying mother. When their secret was exposed and as they were taken away to their deaths, the priest implored his students to always be willing to sacrifice and live for others. This message tied in beautifully with the purpose of the day, when freshmen, sophomores and juniors fanned out all over the DMV to perform acts of service, faith and generosity. Seniors took part in an Advocacy Day, with guest speakers and reflections on campus, and lobbying on Capitol Hill.
In his homily, Cardinal McElroy told the story of a French priest in World War II who hid a Jewish boy among the students at his school to protect him from the Nazis at the request of his dying mother. When their secret was exposed and as they were taken away to their deaths, the priest implored his students to always be willing to sacrifice and live for others. This message tied in beautifully with the purpose of the day, when freshmen, sophomores and juniors fanned out all over the DMV to perform acts of service, faith and generosity. Seniors took part in an Advocacy Day, with guest speakers and reflections on campus, and lobbying on Capitol Hill.
The words of Pope Francis were top of mind during the Day of Service, as students have sought to integrate the Campus Ministry theme throughout the school year: “Todos, Todos, Todos (Everyone, Everyone, Everyone).”
Celebrating 200 Years of Jesuit Education in the Nation's Capital
