Note: This message was originally sent on March 6, 2021
Our on-campus community is entering day eight of hosting a vaccination clinic at The Martin Centre. Hundreds of GU employees and students have been volunteering to help CHAS operate the clinic which is resulting in thousands of Spokanites receiving the vaccine. We are beyond proud to play our part and to see this “game changer” in mitigating the virus in Spokane, taking place safely on our campus.
A colleague of mine recently drew this parallel that I thought I would share with each of you. Aloysius Gonzaga began his studies as a young Jesuit in Rome, devoting his time to prayer and practices of austerity. But Rome was in the midst of a serious plague epidemic that left the poor and indigent dying in the streets. The young Jesuit regularly went through the city, doing whatever he could for the victims, including carrying them to hospitals where he would care for them, washing their wounds and feeding them. Not surprisingly, he contracted the disease himself. On June 21, 1591, at the age of 23, still six years away from his priestly ordination, he died.
So, not exactly the outcome anyone would want, but St. Aloysius Gonzaga’s spirit of action is a model for servant leadership. Without a lot of fanfare and expectation of recognition or fame, Aloysius quietly and humbly cared for the abandoned, vulnerable and dying. He was clearly devoted to and at the service of others.
We are beyond blessed to be in position to help in combating this pandemic – positioned to do so because of the fierce discipline of our students and employees following protocols all year long to make sure our campus is safely operating and delivering on our mission. This year long journey – of operating quite uniquely and this specific example of helping standing up a vaccine clinic; both are SIGNFICANT examples of how your support of Gonzaga is playing out daily in the formation of the students we serve and in the lives we are helping to save with the clinic.
THANK YOU for your belief, for your support – both financial and emotional for this special community of light. Hope…