Monsignor McGrath Celebrates 50 Years in the Priesthood

CHAPLAIN MONSIGNOR FRANK MCGRATH 5 REFLECTS ON IN THE PRIESTHOODYEARS

MONSIGNOR FRANK MCGRATH, AVE MARIA LAW’S BELOVED CHAPLAIN, CELEBRATED THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION OF 50 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD ON MAY 9, 2020. DEVOTED TO HIS SERVICE AND A TRUE BLESSING TO OUR COMMUNITY, MONSIGNOR IS THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF AVE MARIA LAW.

Congratulations, Monsignor, on such an exceptional journey. Looking back over the past 50 years of this journey, what stands out of most importance to you? What is of most importance is through God’s grace keeping Jesus Christ at the center of my life and helping everyone the Lord places in my life do the same. This means a daily life of prayer, the Word and the sacraments. Relating with the Lord deeply and personally, it also means living a life of repentance from sinful thoughts, actions, and desires. It means loving the poor and protecting the most vulnerable, of turning to Him for truth, life, joy, and love. We must acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, the absolute supreme being, the only one sent to save the human race. We can completely trust Him. He is the end toward which all are headed, the merciful one who loves us deeply and personally. Another very important reality in my life is the presence and role of Mary, the Mother of God. She is a wonderful gift from the Lord to us. She has been in my life from childhood. Two nights before my ordination the Lord came very near, as did Mary. I consecrated my life to her because the Lord inspired me to do so. I know exactly where I was standing when the Lord drew near.

Secretary of State of the Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Monsignor McGrath

Monsignor McGrath and Driver participating in Ave Maria Law’s Day of Giving

Monsignor McGrath, Bishop Frank Dewane, Richard Varadan ’20, Tylan Ricketts ’18 celebrating Red Mass at Ave Maria Law

Ave Maria Law Marches for Life in Naples Monsignor McGrath celebrating Ave Maria Law’s Baccalaureate Mass

What has shaped your experience over time serving as Ave Maria Law’s Chaplain? My experience here at Ave Maria School of Law is shaped by the students whom I have encountered over the past six years. Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, a professor invited me to join his online class and speak to his students. When I tuned in on my computer the class was underway, and all of the students’ faces appeared live on the screen. I had not seen most of them since the “in person” classes came to a halt and most returned to their home state. I was delighted to be with them again, even if only through the internet. I realized how much I missed them and how important they are. I have a very strong conviction that God and Mary sent me here to be a priest for these students. In some mysterious and spiritual manner the Lord, their shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep, is sharing with me this important shepherding role (John 10:11ff). My understanding of this reality of being their shepherd shapes my experience and calls me on to serve them.

You work to keep faith at the forefront of the Ave Maria Law community. Why is it important to keep faith at the center of our lives, personally and professionally? Great question! Your observation is, as they say in Britain, “spot on.” I have a burning desire that students, staff, and faculty experience the power and love that comes through the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance, and to accept the truth that faith is the key that opens the door to “knowing” God and his truth about life. Faith is the powerful virtue that allows the Lord to work in and through us to bring His love, mercy and healing. When living and loving true faith, we are protected from the deceitful lies of the devil whose wicked mission is to bring us, the Church, and humanity to eternal death (separation from God and one another). This living faith is important not only for the student’s own life, but also important to equip them to serve effectively as Christians.

What is your vision for your path over the next several years now that you have reached the milestone of 50 significant years in the priesthood? Borrowing from Tom Monaghan, I can say that the path is to live one day at a time, head toward heaven to be with the Lord, to proclaim the truth revealed through the Word of God and teachings of the Church. I want to help everyone to know the powerful love of God revealed in Jesus through repentance and the sacraments and bring, with God’s grace, as many as possible with me to heaven.

Monsignor, you are the heart of the Ave Maria Law community. We are grateful to know you. You are a true blessing and a special part of our lives. Thank you for guiding us in faith through God’s work. You make Ave Maria Law’s faithful community extraordinary. Congratulations on 50 years in the priesthood.