Holy Apostles College & Seminary Citation for Honorary Doctorate

Given May 2, 2008 in Cromwell, Connecticut

While in the aura of the papal visit of Benedict XVI and hearing the echo of his words to Catholic educators of our country, Holy Apostles College and Seminary proudly welcomes the founder of The Cardinal Newman Society, Mr. Patrick Reilly. The mission of The Cardinal Newman Society is to renew and strengthen Catholic identity in the Catholic colleges and universities of the United States of America. Convinced of the universal call to holiness, driven by a real sense of mission to make a vibrant contribution to the Church, and supported by his wife Rosario, Mr. Patrick Reilly founded The Cardinal Newman Society in 1993. Of her husband Rosario says, “He has the highest degree of integrity of anyone I have ever met.” Of The Cardinal Newman Society she says, “It is like another child of ours.” And they are the parents of five.

Patrick is a graduate of Fordham University. He has written numerous articles on Catholic higher education, education in general, and Catholic issues for such publications as Catholic World Report, Crisis, Legatus and the Chronicle of Higher Education. He has also had many years of experience in education having served as Executive Director of Citizens for Educational Freedom; higher education analyst for the U.S. House of Representatives’ education committee; and Program Analyst for the Postsecondary Division of the U.S. Department of Education.

On November 1, 2007, The Cardinal Newman Society launched The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College: What to Look For and Where to Find It. Striving to meet the standards of The Cardinal Newman Society has provided inspiration and motivation to fully implement Ex corde Ecclesiae, the Apostolic Constitution of John Paul II which spells out what a Catholic institution is called to be. Holy Apostles College and Seminary, after intense scrutiny, was found to have met the standards and is featured in the Guide as one of the recommended colleges and universities in North America. Scheduled for a second edition in 2009, the Guide recommends to parents and potential students institutions of higher education which faithfully live their Catholic identity and provide a quality education in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

As of this year, The Cardinal Newman Society has a new division, The Center for the Study of Catholic Higher Education. Just before the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States, they published their first bulletin and Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, President of Christendom College, wrote in the initial article, “Pope Benedict recognizes the power wielded by the academy in shaping culture.”

Patrick Reilly expresses it thus: “You go to a Catholic college to prepare for something, spiritually as well as practically. That something is a real vibrant contribution to the Church, a real sense of purpose and mission.”

For his selfless dedication to the integrity of Catholic institutions, for his faith that permeates his countless endeavors, for his fortitude in the face of adversity, for his steadfast devotion to his wife and family, Holy Apostles College and Seminary proudly and gratefully bestows the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, upon Mr. Patrick Reilly.