Gregorian University Foundation

On May 5, the Gregorian University Foundation was honored to present the St. Ignatius Medal to William Whelan and Fr. Michael Hilbert, SJ, during a special evening at the Colony Club in New York City.

Rooted in the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the St. Ignatius Medal recognizes individuals whose lives reflect a deep commitment to faith, service, and the formation of others. This distinction places Bill and Fr. Hilbert among previous recipients including Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.

As former Board President of the Gregorian University Foundation, Bill Whelan has generously supported the education of priests, religious, and lay women and men at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, founded by St. Ignatius in 1551. Fr. Michael Hilbert, SJ, Trustee Emeritus of the Foundation and former professor of canon law at the Gregorian, has devoted his vocation to teaching, ministry, and service to the universal Church. He is the current pastor of Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, NYC. Together, they embody the Jesuit ideal of men for others and the enduring legacy of Jesuit education.

We are deeply grateful to the many friends, supporters, alumni, and members of the Jesuit community who joined us to celebrate these two remarkable men and their faithful service to the Church and the mission of Jesuit education.

Special thanks as well to Fordham Preparatory School's Finn Evans, Class of 2026, for his stirring rendition of the National Anthem, Xavier High School's JROTC for providing the Color Guard, and members of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola choir for concluding the evening with a beautiful and uplifting musical tribute.

“I was formed at the Gregorian University in Rome.”

With those simple words, Fr. Robert Boxie reflects on the foundation of his vocation. A graduate of the Pontifical Gregorian University, he has been named Auxiliary Bishop-elect for the Archdiocese of Washington . He currently serves as chaplain at Howard University and, upon ordination, will be the youngest bishop in the United States.

That formation continues to bear fruit in his leadership and service.

The Gregorian forms priests, religious, and lay women and men who go on to serve the Church across the world. The Gregorian University Foundation is honored to support the formation of leaders like Bishop-elect Boxie whose impact reaches far beyond Rome.

Find out more about how the Gregorian forms leaders for the global Church by watching the video below that features Auxiliary Bishop Elect Boxie.

Please join us in congratulating him and praying for his ministry.

As we stand at the foot of the Cross on this Good Friday, we are invited, in the Ignatian spirit, to remain with Christ in His suffering, to contemplate, with reverence and love, the depth of His sacrifice. We know that Easter morning will bring the Risen Lord, who greets His disciples not with triumph, but with a gift: “Peace be with you.”

It is in this same spirit of prayerful reflection and hope that our friends at the Pontifical Gregorian University, students and professors of the Department of Spiritual Theology who embody this living Jesuit tradition, offer a beautiful Easter message through music: “Peace Unto You: An Easter Message of Peace from Rome.” A special thank you to Donna Orsuto for spearheading this gift to our supporters.

In a world longing for reconciliation, especially amid renewed conflict in the Middle East, Christ’s gift of peace feels both timely and deeply needed.