JMJ
August 2026
Dear Friends,
Ever heard of Old Monroe, Missouri? Me neither. But, on January 9, 1930, in that little town was born a man who has had a profound impact on the way I live my life. His parents named him Quentin, and when he was old enough, they sent him to boarding school in St. Louis. One year later, at just 15 years old, he decided to dedicate his entire life to the Blessed Virgin Mary. You see, he met the Marianist Brothers at Chaminade Prep, and inspired by their devotion to Our Lady and witness to the Gospel, he heard Jesus inviting him to leave everything and follow Him.
Fr. Quentin Hakenwerth followed Jesus as a Marianist for the next 80 years of his life. After having served the Blessed Virgin in so many different ways, including as superior general of the Society of Mary for 6 years, he died back in March. Eighty years of religious life. I can’t even begin to imagine the number of students he taught, Brothers he encouraged, Masses he celebrated, people he inspired. He was a walking library who knew everything there was to know about Blessed Chaminade and the Marianist way of life. He wrote a bunch of books and visited every single Marianist community in the world (in more than 38 countries!). He lived his life utterly convinced that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had asked him to live his life as a Marianist, and he was a good and faithful servant.
Last month, the Brothers from Chaminande and Kellenberg made our annual week-long retreat at Founder’s Hollow. We reflected on a simple quote from Fr. Quenin. Even after all those years as a Marianist, he used to say, “I’m still growing.” Imagine that. He was 96 when the Lord called him home, and yet he still knew that Jesus was asking more of him. Jesus was still at work in his heart to make him a saint.
For us Marianists, Fr. Quentin was a model of so many virtues, but I am most struck by how he responded to the grace of perseverance. It is related to the virtue of fortitude. Remember Chaminade’s motto fortes in unitate, strength in unity?Fortitude comes from the Latin word fortis, or strength, and by it, we can overcome great obstacles so as to remain in the state of grace. To put it another way, perseverance is the gift God gives us to keep going forward in our walk with Jesus. Perseverance helps us keep our eyes on Jesus when times are good (when we forget we need Him) and when times are bad (when we forget that He is with us).
Perseverance reminds us that we are still growing. We are still growing in the places of our lives where we are weakest. We are still growing in our gifts and talents. We are still growing as sons and as men. We are still growing in holiness. Perseverance is a gift from God, so we know that Jesus is the one who is helping us to grow.
Before you head back to college this month (or wherever you are at in life), take some time to reflect on the areas in your life where you think Jesus is calling you to grow. Most especially, talk with Jesus and Mary about how they want you to grow in holiness. If you are going to Mass each Sunday, getting to Confession when you need to, praying every day, giving yourself to others, then ask them for the grace of perseverance to help you keep going and to keep growing. If you’re lacking in any of those areas, ask for the grace to help you grow in holiness. For all of us, holiness is the be-all-and-end-all.
Fr. Quentin persevered in his call to holiness. Our Lady called him to follow Jesus as a Marianist Brother. By living that life faithfully, he found his pathway to Heaven. I pray that I may do the same for the rest of my life. Perhaps Mary is calling you to be a Marianist too.
In the middle of August, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a beautiful Solemnity, but its spiritual meaning is often misunderstood. The Assumption celebrates Mary’s perseverance in grace. Throughout her entire life, Mary grew in holiness and remained faithful to her Son. At the end of her life, her perseverance was crowned with the unique privilege of being taken into Heaven in both body and soul, so that she can continue her mission as mother of Jesus and of His body, the Church, all of us on Earth. Our Lady prays for us constantly. She is our biggest cheerleader in Heaven. Love the Blessed Virgin, and you will persevere to the end. If I can make this suggestion: pray the Rosary every day this month… or at least pray it on August 15th!
One last thing… On Saturday, August 15th, the Brothers are celebrating our 50th anniversary as a Province with a big celebration. We are so grateful to God for all the ways that He has blessed us with his grace over the years, and we are asking for the gift of perseverance in the years ahead. It’s a really big deal for us. You are all most warmly invited to join us for Mass at 4:00 p.m. at Kellenberg. Send me, Bro. Stephen, or Fr. Dan a text / email to let us know if you can join us. I hope to see you there!
To Jesus, through Mary,
Bro. Pat
Bro. Patrick Cahill
P.S. So many of you have reached out to offer your prayers and best wishes to me following my ordination to the diaconate back in May. Thank you so much. God is good! I’m excited to have finished my time at the Chaminade International Seminary in Rome, and I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter at Kellenberg. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for my ordination to the priesthood late this fall. You will hear more about that for sure!