12 Villanova Magazine
Priest-Plus The Year for Priests calls attention <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> spiritual, academic and community service of Augustinian friars By Su z a n n e We n t z e l The clue <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir identity is not always how <strong>the</strong>y dress, where <strong>the</strong>y work or even where <strong>the</strong>y live. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, a commitment <strong>to</strong> community life, a passion for knowledge and truth, a spirit of hospitality and a self-emptying through service are <strong>the</strong> traits that mark <strong>the</strong> members of <strong>the</strong> Augustinian Order. In June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed a Year for Priests <strong>to</strong> deepen, <strong>the</strong> pontiff said, “<strong>the</strong> commitment of all priests <strong>to</strong> interior renewal for <strong>the</strong> sake of a more forceful and incisive witness <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gospel.” It is a fitting occasion for <strong>the</strong> Villanova community <strong>to</strong> recognize not only <strong>the</strong> friars profiled here but every Augustinian who preserves, embodies and transmits <strong>the</strong> ideals and mission of <strong>the</strong> order. From law <strong>to</strong> order At a daily Mass in Corr Chapel, <strong>the</strong> Rev. Robert Hagan, O.S.A., J.D., ’87 A&S starts his homily <strong>with</strong> a s<strong>to</strong>ry about a baseball player tagged out after crossing home plate because he failed <strong>to</strong> step on first base. The moral: if you put first things first, everything else will fall in<strong>to</strong> place. It’s not surprising that Fa<strong>the</strong>r Rob can draw a faith lesson out of a sports blooper and succinctly drive home his point. In addition <strong>to</strong> being Villanova’s associate athletics direc<strong>to</strong>r, chaplain for <strong>the</strong> football and men’s basketball teams, and an avid runner, he is a seasoned lawyer, one accus<strong>to</strong>med <strong>to</strong> summing up his case. As an undergraduate at Villanova, Fa<strong>the</strong>r Rob, an alumnus of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, Pa., met priests passionate about <strong>the</strong>ir ministries. “I resolved <strong>the</strong>n that, whatever I did, my heart would be engaged in it.” The thought that he might be called <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Augustinians crossed his mind, but since it was not a “burning-bush experience, I managed <strong>to</strong> deny it for 10 years.” In 1990, <strong>with</strong> a degree from Widener University School of Law, Fa<strong>the</strong>r Rob landed a job <strong>with</strong> a general practice firm. He loved <strong>the</strong> people and <strong>the</strong> pace, but after seven years, <strong>the</strong> evidence was more than sufficient: “God was leading me <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> priesthood.” He entered <strong>the</strong> Augustinians and was ordained in 2003. In some ways, being a priest hasn’t been that different from being a lawyer. “People entrust parts of <strong>the</strong>ir life <strong>to</strong> me that <strong>the</strong>y would not entrust <strong>to</strong> anyone else. I have an opportunity <strong>to</strong> help and, in my work now, <strong>to</strong> invite God in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> situation.” As associate athletics direc<strong>to</strong>r, Fa<strong>the</strong>r Rob parlays his legal and pas<strong>to</strong>ral skills <strong>to</strong> handle personnel matters, oversee National Collegiate Athletic Association drug testing and liaise between athletes and faculty. In his role as chaplain, he is on <strong>the</strong> sidelines of every game. Dressed in his “uniform,” he helps promote <strong>the</strong> University’s mission. “I hope that my presence reminds people that our Augustinian values and <strong>the</strong> love of Christ should permeate everything we do.” Being a witness, many might say, is what this lawyer-turned-priest does best. On <strong>the</strong> court, in <strong>the</strong> classroom and at <strong>the</strong> altar, Fa<strong>the</strong>r Rob tries <strong>to</strong> lead people <strong>to</strong> an encounter <strong>with</strong> God. “My fellow priests and I take seriously our call <strong>to</strong> participate <strong>with</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs in such graced moments as Reconciliation, Baptism, Eucharist and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs ways in which <strong>the</strong> Spirit enkindles <strong>the</strong> world.” He may have a locker room for a pulpit and ’Cats for a congregation, but Fa<strong>the</strong>r Robert Hagan, O.S.A., Villanova’s associate athletics direc<strong>to</strong>r, resists <strong>the</strong> temptation <strong>to</strong> pray for a win in his pregame prayer services <strong>with</strong> athletes. “If you open yourself up <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit, good things happen, win or lose.” Summer 2010 13
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