Hey, Nova's Right Up There Near The Top!

 

From The President Of Villanova University . . .

August 21, 2025

Dear Members of the Villanova Community, Today, as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued with the news of a possible shooter at the Law School. Mercifully, no one was injured, and we now know that it was a cruel hoax—there was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms present on campus. While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.  I would like to thank everyone involved in securing the safety of our community, especially our Villanova Public Safety department and the first responders from Radnor Police and other local police departments. I would also like to thank our Orientation Counselors and all of the Villanova staff in attendance at the Orientation Mass, who responded calmly and compassionately to a very frightening and unnerving situation. Amid my thanks, I would like to apologize to our first-year students and their families. This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for you. And while I cannot do anything to relieve the unrest that you are feeling right now, I can offer a prayer. As generations of Villanovan know, this prayer is how I close Orientation Mass each year. Since we were interrupted today, I would like to offer it now. Whomever you are with, I ask that you reach out to them and repeat after me. May God bless you and protect you. May your heart and mind be united in faith so that you may be able to love wisely, work creatively, laugh heartily, and live honestly. May you use your education to bring justice and peace to the world, for the benefit of our human family and all of God’s creation. And may you always know that you are loved. Amen I am sure there will be more questions in the coming days and weeks, and we will share as much information with you as we can, but for now, I am thankful that everyone is safe.  With Caritas, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA President

Podcast: OMG! The Pope Is A Villanovan!

Philly Popemania: The BEST Video Yet!

Catholic school students from St. Aloysius Academy in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania — down the street from Pope Leo XIV's alma mater, Villanova University — jumped for joy when news of the pope's selection was shared with them during lunchtime. https://t.co/3fCEyDF8sY pic.twitter.com/kwMi01IFUo

— ABC News (@ABC) May 8, 2025

Philly Archbishop Hails First American Pope

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Perez issued the following statement regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church by the College of Cardinals.

On this historic occasion Catholics in the Philadelphia region and around the world rejoice abundantly! The election of our new Holy Father and his appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome today fills us with great hope and joy.

Together with the bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and lay faithful of the Church of Philadelphia, I express prayerful fidelity to Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert F. Prevost. People from our area already have a special closeness with the Holy Father. He is the first pope from the United States of America and a graduate of Villanova University! With glad hearts, we lift up prayers of Thanksgiving for his election and eagerly anticipate all that will flow from his Petrine Ministry for the good of souls and the good of our world.

I have had the pleasure of working and conversing with the Holy Father as a member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America during his time as its president. I witnessed first-hand a wonderful, gentle, humble, and spiritual man of God who is a true gift to the world.

Pope Leo XIV will be a pastor not just for Catholics, but for every person of good will. He is a man of deep faith and extraordinary intellectual ability who understands the pastoral needs of our richly diverse Church as well as the challenges of our modern society. I know that his papacy will be marked by a desire for genuine Christian encounter with all people and that it will be filled with the compassionate love of Jesus Christ.

As a family in faith, our union with Pope Leo XIV is part of God’s plan for His Church on earth. We stand ready to serve as Missionary Disciples for Christ relying upon the Holy Father’s wisdom and pastoral guidance.

Let us all join in giving thanks to almighty God for His providential care and for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit working through the College of Cardinals. May Mary, Queen of the Apostles, Saint Peter, and his saintly successors present the prayerful intentions of Pope Leo XIV to God our Father.

Now This, From VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY!

What a proud and extraordinary day for Villanova University and the global Church! Today, in St. Peter’s Square in front of Catholics from around the world, Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, was named the first Augustinian Pope. The selection of Pope Leo XIV by the College of Cardinals comes less than two years after he was announced as cardinal designate by the late Pope Francis, a position to which he was formally installed in September 2023, during a consistory at the Vatican on the eve of the Synod of Synodality.

Pope Leo XIV is a Villanova alumnus who earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977 and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, from the University in 2014. Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and joined the Order of St. Augustine, taking his first vows in 1978. Following his undergraduate studies at Villanova, he earned a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982 and was ordained a priest the same year. Pope Leo XIV went on to earn both licentiate (1984) and doctorate (1987) degrees in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

As an Augustinian Catholic institution, we celebrate this significant day for our University community. Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been grounded in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason—between spirituality and wisdom. With today’s election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our University community and our world.

A new Pope brings fresh perspectives, renewed priorities and spiritual guidance, all of which can deepen our mission, strengthen our values and enrich our community. Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission, through an Augustinian lens, as we pursue intellectual and spiritual growth.

As we embark on this new chapter of Catholic leadership, let us remain open to the wisdom, inspiration and opportunities that change brings. May we be challenged to reexamine our role in fostering an academic environment that remains steadfast in faith yet boldly engages with the complexities of the modern world. May we find renewed purpose in our shared mission—cultivating unity, compassion and thoughtful inquiry—while continuing the essential dialogue between faith and reason. And may we continue to find meaningful ways to integrate these themes into our curriculum, campus initiatives and community outreach.

Finally, as a University community, let us take time for prayer, reflection and thoughtful discourse as we look ahead to the guidance of the Holy Father. May his leadership strengthen our resolve, inspire meaningful action, and remind us that as educators, students and individuals, we are called not only to learn but also to lead with courage, wisdom and faith.

Sincerely,


Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President

Message From The President Of Villanova University

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

I am writing to share some significant University news. 

Villanova University and Rosemont College have come to an agreement to merge our two neighboring Catholic institutions, beginning in 2027. It will be a multi-year, phased transition intended to provide current Rosemont students with the opportunity to continue their education and graduate with a Rosemont College degree. During this time, Rosemont College will continue to operate as a separate entity. 

Villanova University and Rosemont College enjoy a longstanding connection. Over the years, Villanova and Rosemont students have taken classes and participated in programs at our respective campuses, and many families in the Greater Philadelphia region celebrate alumni from both institutions. But most importantly, our two institutions have always shared a commitment to advancing Catholic higher education. Given this shared commitment, our close physical proximity and deep alumni connections, this merger represents a unique and powerful opportunity for our two institutions.

During the transition, Rosemont College's educational and many extracurricular activities will continue as planned—supported by Rosemont faculty and staff. After the transition, the campus will honor the legacy of its founders, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and the institution’s history and mission by retaining the Rosemont name as it continues to support Catholic higher education. 

This agreement, together with the recent acquisition of Cabrini University, represents long-term strategic planning for Villanova. The demand for a Villanova education has never been greater. With this agreement, we seek to enhance our University programs and complement the goals we developed together in our Strategic Plan, Rooted. Restless., all while honoring and preserving the legacy of Rosemont College. As always, our number one priority is providing students with a unique and transformative education—interwoven with values, knowledge and community—and unparalleled preparation for lifelong success.

I know this announcement raises many questions, many of which simply cannot be answered at this time. There is still much to be done, but we are energized to work together with our Rosemont colleagues given the longstanding bonds between our communities and the opportunities the agreement will provide. Additional information about the agreement is available on our website. As more details become available and finalized, I will continue to keep you informed about our progress.

Sincerely,

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA

President 

Villanova Men's Hoops Coach Canned!

We are writing to share some news regarding our Men's Basketball program. This morning, we met with Kyle Neptune, who has led our men’s program for the past three seasons, to let him know we are making a leadership change for Villanova Men's Basketball. Villanova Basketball is a source of enormous pride for countless Villanovans, and there are high expectations for the men's program, which in the past 10 years has won two NCAA National Championships, reached the Final Four and Sweet 16, and won 10 BIG EAST regular season and tournament championships. We believe a change in leadership will better position our program for continued competitive excellence as we move into the future. Villanova Men’s Basketball is a valued and highly visible part of our University community. Its success has helped elevate the institution’s profile and brought attention to our Augustinian Catholic mission. With world-class academics, incredible fan and donor support, first-rate facilities, a storied history and an enduring commitment to success in basketball, Villanova is poised to reclaim our place among the nation's elite. On behalf of the entire Villanova community, we would like to thank Kyle for his many years of service to our men's program and the University. During his tenure, Kyle led the team to notable wins over highly ranked opponents and recruited exceptional student-athletes who were great representatives of Villanova—in competition, in the classroom and in the community. We wish Kyle the very best, and he will always be a Villanovan. A national search for the next leader of Villanova Men's Basketball will begin immediately, and we look forward to sharing more information when an appointment is finalized. Until then, Mike Nardi '07 VSB, will serve as the interim head coach. As always, thank you for your continued support of Villanova Athletics, and Go 'Cats! Sincerely,

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA President Eric Roedl Vice President and Director of Athletics

Now THIS Is The Way To Do It . . .

This May Be The Best Christmas Message Yet!

Now this is a university that stands for something -- that has its values, its meaning, its purpose and its mission aligned with the very best in each of us. Veritas, Unitas, Caritas!

Italian American Heritage Month: Rollie Massimino

Roland Vincent Massimino

Rollie Massimino coached for 30 years at the NCAA level. His name was synonymous with the best the game had to offer. Fittingly, in 2013 he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Massimino began his coaching career at Stony Brook where he compiled a 34-16 record in two years. His next stop was at Villanova, where he spent 19 years as the Wildcats' coach and amassed 357 wins. Massimino's 1984-85 Villanova team defeated conference rival Georgetown in the NCAA championship game in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history. In addition to the national title, Massimino's teams won five conference championships and received 12 NCAA tournament bids. He went on to coach at UNLV and Cleveland State for nine years and then finished his career at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Florida. By that time he had earned more than 800 victories as a college coach.

But it's at Villanova that Massimino really made his mark, established his reputation and became truly legendary. He treated players as family and to Massimino, la famiglia was everything. As his son noted at Massimino's memorial mass at Villanova: "He always made our family feel special, even when he was a high school coach making $3,600 a year. We had love, each other and pasta. What else could any family want?”

Massimino was a demonstrative coach and his rumpled presence courtside was part of the allure of Villanova basketball during one of it most triumphant periods. Massimino coached seven seasons at Villanova after the national championship, further cementing himself as an icon of the community and as a nationally known leader in his sport. Jay Wright, who was hired by Massimino as a Wildcats assistant in 1987 and served seven years by his side went on to coach two national championship teams for Nova. 

Rollie Massimino was much more than a coach Indeed, he was a mentor, teacher, friend and inspiration to those whose lives he touched.

Italian American Heritage Month: Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo

Pro basketball star Donte DiVincenzo earned his chops on the court first at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware where he led the team to two consecutive state championships and then, of course, at Villanova University where he was part of two NCAA championship teams (2016 and 2018) and was named NCAA's Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2018. In the 2018 championship game Villanova defeated Michigan, 79–62. In that game, DiVincenzo scored 31 points for Villanova. DiVincenzo was dubbed the "Big Ragu" by a sportscaster  following his last-second tip in a game on January 29, 2017, which gave Villanova the win against the University of Virginia. 

In 2018 DiVincenzo was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, the second of four Villanova players drafted that year. Since then DiVincenzo has played for the Sacramento Kings, The Golden State Warriors and is now with the New York Knicks.

Donte's parents are John F. DiVincenzo and Kathie DiVincenzo. Donte reportedly inherited his love of basketball from his father, John.

The father and son would watch basketball together religiously as Donte was growing up.  Donte's ethnicity is Italian through and through, hence "The Big Ragu," nickname Donte wears like a badge of honor.

Did You Know? The Liberty Bell Has A 'Sister'

 

Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, and city officials to welcome the Sister of the Liberty Bell,  which recently returned home to Saint Augustine Catholic Church. The fourth oldest Catholic Church in Philadelphia, it is located at 4^th and Vine Streets and was founded in 1796. Saint Augustine was the first permanent establishment of the Augustinian Order in the United States.

Saturday, May 7, 2022
 10:30 a.m. 
 Saint Augustine Catholic Church
 243 North Lawrence Street
 Philadelphia, PA 19106

Bishop Senior will be joined by Reverend William Waters, OSA, Pastor of Saint Augustine Catholic Church; Shelia Hess, Philadelphia City Representative; Jim Cuorato, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center; and Philadelphia City Council Member, Mark F. Squilla.

All people of goodwill are welcome to participate in the ceremonial blessing in-person or virtually.  The blessing will be streamed live beginning at 10:30 a.m. via https://masslivestream.com/churches/staugustinechurch.  

Following the conclusion of the ceremonial blessing, a reception will be held with light refreshments.  

Background on the Sister of the Liberty Bell 

The Sister of the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia during the summer of 1754. It was purchased to replace the original Liberty Bell, which had cracked. When the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly voted not to replace the original Liberty Bell, it was hung on a special cupola in front of the Liberty Bell, attached to the State House clock. Both bells ran on special occasions.

In 1830, Reverend Michael Hurley, O.S.A., Pastor of Saint Augustine Church, purchased the Sister Bell. On May 8, 1844, the bell was destroyed when members of the Native American Party burned Saint Augustine’s Church to the ground. The bell was recast in 1847 at a greatly reduced size. She was sent to Villanova College founded in 1842 by the Augustinian Friars who served at Saint Augustine Church. 

The Sister Bell hung in a locust tree and was used to call the students to class, chapel and their meals 1847-1917. In 1917 she was sent to Jamaica Long Island and was used in the steeple of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Augustinian Church, but on September 20, 1942 she returned to Villanova for the inauguration of the Centennial year 1942-1943.

The Sister Bell  returned home to Saint Augustine Catholic Church on January 13, 2022.

To learn more about the Sister of the Liberty Bell, please visit https://blog.library.villanova.edu/2009/12/10/life-as-the-sister-of-the-liberty-bell/. 

 Note: Founded in 1796, Saint Augustine Parish presently has 762 registered families and 1,420 registered parishioners. The Church serves as an important anchor in the community, and provides space and support for a number of groups and services including; Women of Hope – an assisted living facility for women in need, Veterans Multi-Service Center for Women Programs, weekly 12-step programs, and more.

For more information, please visit http://www.st-augustinechurch.com/. 

The Official Announcement From Jay Himself

 

Villanova Announces Jay Wright's Successor

 

April 20, 2022

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,   We would like to start by expressing our immense gratitude to Jay Wright, who today announced his retirement from coaching, for his incredible leadership of Villanova Men’s Basketball for the past 21 years. He has led our storied program with class, humility and grace, leaving an indelible impact on this community. Jay’s legacy at Villanova extends well beyond the numerous awards, accolades and championships. He will be forever known to our community as Villanova’s winningest coach, who did things the “Wright” way, guiding, developing and empowering the student-athletes who played for him to not only be better on the basketball court but also in their personal lives. Jay taught us all the true meaning of “ATTITUDE,” so, on behalf of everyone associated with Villanova Basketball, we would like to express our overwhelming “GRATITUDE” for everything he has done for Villanova. Jay and his wife, Patty, have always been tremendous ambassadors for the University and our Augustinian mission by embodying what it means to be a Villanovan: selfless, humble and caring while being driven, determined and competitive. Villanova is a better University for Jay being a part of it, which is why we are delighted that he has agreed to stay on at Villanova as Special Assistant to the President. In this role, Jay will be involved in fundraising, advising, education and more for the University. NEXT CHAPTER Over the past two decades, Jay and his staff have built an enviable, world-class basketball program at Villanova. When looking for a successor, we wanted a candidate who could provide continuity for what Jay has built, and who could navigate the changing landscape of collegiate athletics keeping Villanova in a position of strength—now and in the future. After meeting with several exceptional candidates, we found all those attributes and more in Villanova’s new William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach, Kyle Neptune.  Kyle quickly stood out for his basketball knowledge, recruiting savvy and natural ability to connect with student-athletes and coaches. He most recently served as the head coach of Fordham University. Prior to Fordham, Kyle served two stints on Jay’s staff over the course of a decade. While an assistant coach at Villanova, the team averaged 30.7 wins per season and captured five BIG EAST regular-season tournament titles and a pair of NCAA national championships. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Kyle played four seasons of college basketball at Lehigh University. Please join us in congratulating Kyle and welcoming him back to Villanova. He is eager to get started and return to the Villanova community. Also, in the months ahead, we will come together to honor Jay and Patty and recognize his more than two decades as the Head Coach of Villanova Men’s Basketball. More to come on that, but as we say, it’s a great day to be a Wildcat! Sincerely,  Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA President Mark Jackson Vice President and Director of Athletics

Classy Till The End, He Goes Out With Style!

After 21 seasons as the leader of Villanova Men’s Basketball, Coach Wright announces his retirement.

Thank you, Coach, for everything you have done for our University, community & the game of basketball.

We are thrilled that you will continue to be a part of the VU community.

 

One University's Home-Made Video Christmas Card

iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/657022088?h=f37ef7b898&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="610" height="345" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen>

A Christmas Message from the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD from Villanova University on Vimeo.

An Extraordinary Life; An Inspiration For All!

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announces the Closing Session in the Archdiocesan phase of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God, William E. Atkinson (1946-2006), a professed priest of the Order of Saint Augustine, to take place on Tuesday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., in the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, on the campus of Villanova University.

Tuesday, October 19^th
 6:30 p.m.
 Villanova University
 Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova
 800 East Lancaster Avenue
 Villanova, PA 19085

The ceremony, to be presided over by Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is open to the public, subject to seating capacity and prevailing COVID-19 protocols at Villanova University.

Born in Philadelphia, Father Atkinson is the first quadriplegic ordained as a priest in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.  He was stationed at Monsignor Bonner High School for almost thirty years (1975-2004). There, he served on the faculty and as assistant school chaplain, moderator of the football team, and director of the afterschool and Saturday detention program affectionately known as “JUG” (“Justice Under God”). 

The Closing Session brings to completion the juridical inquiry into his life, virtues, and reputation of holiness and of intercessory power that began in 2015. Since then, the Archdiocese has examined historical documents, heard witness testimonies, and conducted related investigations – all for the purpose of gathering proofs in order to attain moral certitude about his life of heroic virtue.

The diocesan inquiry represents the initial phase in a lengthy process which also includes a Roman inquiry into Father Atkinson’s virtuous life and reputation for sanctity, separate diocesan and Roman investigations of possible miracles attributed to the intercession of Father Atkinson, the considered judgment of the members of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and, ultimately, the decision of the Holy Father regarding the outcome of the Cause.

During the Closing Session, at which will be present local and international leaders of the Augustinian religious order, Archdiocesan officials will provide information summarizing the six-year long inquiry, and the Archbishop will decree that the documentation be authenticated, sealed, and delivered to the Congregation at the Vatican.

Anyone seeking further information about Father Atkinson and his Cause, or wishing to support it through the Father Bill Atkinson Guild, is invited to visit the official Augustinian website at www.augustinian.org/the-cause . Visitors to the site can also access there the 2020 PBS documentary entitled “Extraordinary: The Bill Atkinson Story.”

An Open Letter To A Villanova University Professor

Dr. Kolsky:

Aa a Villanova graduate, I find your July 3rd op-ed in the Washington Post deeply troubling.

Not because it successfully indicts the United States, but because it doesn't. And in so doing, it fails so embarrassingly that it reflects poorly on academia in general and on Villanova in particular.

Not only do you brazenly attempt to visit the sins of the mother country on her rebellious offspring, but you also attempt to poison the present with a prejudiced presentation of selected misdeeds from the past.

For a history professor to stand athwart the centuries and attempt to engage in such scholastic gymnastics is, to say the least, an acrobatic feat that defies credulity.

The word "imperial" is defined as "befitting or suggestive of an empire or an emperor of or relating to the United Kingdom as distinguished from the constituent parts." In other words, the British Empire, which historians chart from as early as the 1400s (or at least from the 1600s) all the way to the mid 1900s. To compare the multi-century sweep of that imperious reign to the experience of the United States is nothing less than outrageous.

The United States of America has no monarch and never did. Great Britain did, and still does. America did not conquer India, nor did we ever attempt to rule over it. Likewise, we did not build a worldwide empire in the manner of Britannia nor did our break with the mother country necessarily fuel Britain’s further colonial adventures.

And while the Philippine-American War may not have been our finest hour, were it not for the United States, the Philippines might be ruled by the Japanese today instead of being its own republic. 

America won World War I and emerged as a world power. Though we vanquished the Kaiser and his allies (Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire) we did not attempt to take over those countries. 

Once again, we triumphed in World War II. But we sought no empire for ourselves and today Germany, Japan, Italy and the nations they conquered are free. We not only rebuilt Europe after the war but we vanquished the Soviet Union and hastened the reunification of a free Germany. 

As President Reagan once rightly noted we sought no land for ourselves other than a place to bury our war dead. For you to brush all this aside to fit your view of today's circumstances is nothing less than unconscionable.

Having read your op-ed, I hate to imagine what sort of theories you're attempting to advance in your classes or what's really going on at the Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest at Villanova.

If this is what Villanova thinks advances the "public interest," then those of us who proudly call ourselves Villanovans are going to have to step forward and demand to be heard, beginning right now. 

Respectfully,

Daniel A. Cirucci

An Open Letter To VU President, 'Father Peter'

To: Father Peter M. Donohue, OSA
       President, Villanova University

I have both your e-mail/letter of May 29 written in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's killing in which you reiterated definitive Catholic teaching that "all human life is sacred" and your followup email/letter of June 6 in which you addended your original letter with the phrase "Black lives matter."

I've thought quite a bit about this. And while I understand that you felt you needed to amend and expand upon your initial statement, what I've discovered in the very eventful weeks since your second letter gives me cause for concern about a phrase and a movement with potentially ominous implications.

"Black lives matter" connotes a lot more than it would seem at first glance. For example,  on its own website, Black Lives Matter (BLM) vows to "disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure." They also declare their intention to "foster a queer‐affirming network." And, I'm sure you must know that BLM is the driving force behind the "defund the police" movement, having called for a "national defunding of police." Furthermore, when one clicks on "donate" at the BLM website, one finds that the donate link appears to be affiliated with ActBlue, a fund-raising mechanism for Democrats -- the same party that booed the mere mention of God at its last national convention; the same party that advocates abortion on demand even up to the time of birth, and beyond.

Now, you will say that you're simply stating that "Black lives matter" and that this should not be confused with the organized movement. But, day-by-day, the phrase and the movement have become increasingly synonymous and the three words have morphed into a sort of mob mantra -- a growing, menacing and dangerous call to mayhem. 

Father, these are avowed revolutionaries. Patrisse Khan-Cullors, a BLM co-founder and strategic advisor has declared: "we are trained Marxists." Shaun King, another BLM leader has called for the destruction of statues of Jesus, declaring them "a form of white supremacy." In response to King's call, Catholic Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin said: "Depictions of Jesus are holy to Christians,  they are physical manifestations of God’s love, and remind us of the nearness of the divine. The secular iconoclasm of the current moment will not bring reconciliation, peace, and healing, " he added. "Such violence will only perpetuate the prejudice and hatred it ostensibly seeks to end . . . Only the love of Christ can heal a wounded heart, not a vandalized piece of metal,” Bishop Hying concluded.

In California, defacement and destruction of statues of St. Junípero Serra prompted an outcry from Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone who said: “I’ve been feeling great distress and a deep wound in my soul when I see these horrendous acts of blasphemy … and disparaging of the memory of Serra, who was such a great hero, such a great defender of the indigenous people of this land; someone who was very much a part of my life growing up." The Archbishop even performed an exorcism at the sight where a statue once stood, declaring: “This is the activity of the evil one who wants to bring down the Church, who wants to bring down all Christian believers. "

And, there's more! In a recently issued “platform,” more than 60 groups that form the core of the Black Lives Matter movement went out of their way to single out the State of Israel, among all foreign nations and accuse Israel of genocide and apartheid. Professor Alan M. Dershowitz, Felix Frankfurter professor of law, emeritus, at Harvard Law School says that singling Israel out and falsely accusing it of “genocide” can be explained in no other way than blatant hatred of Jews and their state. It's antisemitism, pure and simple.

There are many, many other examples that I could cite, including attempts to destroy the statue of Saint Louis in front of St. Louis Cathedral in the city of the same name as well as outright physical assaults on Catholic defenders of the faith in various parts of the country. The bottom line is that BLM has significantly contributed to the wrenching discord that our nation is now witnessing. Furthermore, their aims and core beliefs are at odds with much of Catholic teaching if not openly hostile to the faith itself.

Father, I think you will agree that, at a time like this, Villanova's vaulted Augustinian heritage and revered values are of little use if applied in the service of virtue-signaling catch phrases that may be little more than a front for anarchists and revolutionaries. For, what's the point of being Villanova in the first place if we rush to mouth the same mantra as all the other universities and embrace the same buzzwords as the incessant chattering guardians of secular humanism?

Trusting in and thankful for all that the good Augustinians taught me over so many hours in so many classes (including four years of theology) I remain,

Faithfully yours,

Daniel A. Cirucci

CAS, '68