New York’ s Shepherd Trustees Prize Essay on Christian Doctrine by Aidan N.
the journal of literature and the arts at saint david’ s school
New York’ s Shepherd Trustees Prize Essay on Christian Doctrine by Aidan N.
If you trace the history of Saint David’ s School or any American school in the Catholic tradition, you will not find a single headmaster or even a group of school founders at its origin. You will go back further, beyond those important figures. Your search will take you to Archbishop John Hughes, a protector and leader of the Irish people through hard times, who transformed the Catholic Church and the educational experience of countless Americans. In the Gospel according to John, Jesus says to an audience of Pharisees,“ I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father— and I lay down my life for the sheep”( New International Version, John 10:14-16). The passage highlights Jesus’ s intimate relationship with his followers, which resembles the close relationship between a shepherd and his flock of sheep. A true leader is an agent for the good, someone who cares for others and takes responsibility for those who need it. Like Jesus, Archbishop John Hughes acted like a shepherd to his people, defending and fighting for Irish Catholic immigrants. Through his hard work, protective nature, and altruism, John Hughes served as an agent for the good by helping his flock feel safe and creating opportunities for them to lead normal lives with no oppression from people who disagreed with their religion and heritage.
As a child and young man, Hughes experienced firsthand the hardships that would affect the Irish immigrant community in America. When Hughes
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