A few months after the election of Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Theological Union continues to celebrate its alumnus, now seeking to share in greater depth why his formation at CTU was so integral and how it continues to impact students today.
In a new video, CTU gathers insights from two of his former teachers, Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA and Fr. John T. Pawlikowski, OSM; one of his brothers in community, Fr. John Lydon, OSA; and one of his classmates, our very own Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial.
.
“My first memory of ‘Bob,’ as he was known in those days, was in a theological reflection group at CTU. Bob would always have something to talk about that was pertinent, focused, and well worth listening to,” Fr. Francis said, recalling their four years’ studying together as they prepared for priesthood.
Fr. Francis was president of CTU from 2013 to 2020.
Fr. Francis went on to become a professor of liturgy at CTU (1987-2000) and later returned to serve as president (2013-2020). Additionally, he stayed connected with Pope Leo XIV when they were each superiors for their worldwide religious communities in the 2000s, both based in Rome, attending the same gatherings, and sometimes flying back and forth to Chicago on the same flights.
“I think CTU had a great effect on Pope Leo in that CTU courses are always taught with an eye on the big question – and that big question is ‘so what?’ It’s not for the sake of just learning things, but for the sake of what difference it makes in the lives of people,” Fr. Francis said. “The way we were taught was always in a pastoral mode and with the questions of justice and multicultural aspects, and I think Bob took that with him to Peru.”
The video’s panelists witness to the centrality of pastoral formation, making theology operative, and bringing it to bear on ministry and service. They discuss Pope Leo’s religious life with the Augustinians, his presence with and for the people of Peru, and how he was formed with a commitment to social justice and ecumenical and interreligious consciousness.
The Viatorians continue to rely on CTU for its excellent theological studies and pastoral formation: Br. Peter Lamick, CSV is currently a full-time ordination-track student alongside Br. Marc Innocent Prophète, CSV from Haiti and Viatorian Youth Leader Viviana Tellez. Additionally, several Viatorian professed and associates have completed degrees there throughout its history.
CTU is a graduate school of theology and ministry, forming priests, religious, and lay people. Its mission is to prepare effective leaders for the Church, ready to witness to Christ’s good news of justice, love, and peace. To learn more, visit ctu.edu.
“Come on in,” Fr. Francis says, at the video’s conclusion.