Newly-ordained Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski visited SLUH on Oct. 19, part of his mission to visit every institution that he presides over in an effort to get more familiar with the St. Louis community.

  SLUH was among the first high schools to be visited by the Rozanski. Because there were no pressing topics to be discussed between the school and the new Ordinary, much of the visit was just an overview of SLUH’s mission and facilities. 

“There was not an agenda outside of giving him a tour of the campus, giving him some background information, introducing him to some of the leadership group of this school and to let him ask any questions and just get to know us and us to get to know him a little better,” said Principal Ian Gibbons, S.J. 

Gibbons noted that Rozanski was ordained in Baltimore, a city very similar to St. Louis in that it is an older, very Catholic city and with a similar population. He also spent time in New England as the Bishop of Springfield, Mass. 

“It's no surprise that they put him here because of that background,” said Gibbons. “I think it was a wise and good and impactful discernment on Pope Francis's part. …  St. Louis is not the biggest city in the country, obviously, but historically, it's very important and it's an extremely Catholic city.”

SLUH’s Jesuit identity also provided a familiar setting for Rozanski.

“He knows the Jesuits quite well. His spiritual director in Baltimore, he told us, was a Jesuit,” said Gibbons. “Baltimore is also a huge Jesuit city. …  So I think (coming to SLUH) was a natural starting point for him.”

Gibbons and Rozanski discussed a wide range of topics, including programming, SLUH’s storied history, the Jesuits, and the current state of Catholic education in St. Louis.

“We look forward to Archbishop Rosanski’s time here in St. Louis and the promising benefit of a good relationship between him, the school and our Brebeuf Jesuit Community,” Gibbons said. “He was generous with his time and stayed longer than he had planned. We look forward to having him back to celebrate a liturgy with us later in the year.

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