me to dinner. The table of the rectory was always
welcoming. Tom would often have other priests
and religious over for dinner. He loved poetry and
telling a good story. He seemed to know everyone.
Tom created a community of peers. I came to learn
that he was well regarded and respected by priests
in the diocese. More than anything Tom modeled
what a good priest ought to be, a reflection of
Christ. He was focused on others, cared for them,
and treated people with dignity.
As I continue in my formation as a Jesuit,
with the hopes of being ordained in a few
short years, I can only pray that I can live up
to Tom’s example. M
First Communion, 2016.
Headmaster O’Halloran’s Letter to the Community, October 18, 2018
Monsignor Thomas P. Leonard, honorary member of the Class of
2006, Chaplain Emeritus, and spiritual leader of this great school for
37 of its most formative years died today. We have lost an incredibly
good man.
Monsignor worked with every headmaster of the school since
its founding. He counseled, taught, guided, married, baptized,
and buried many a Saint David’s boy. He influenced, inspired, and
passionately embraced every member of the faculty and staff and
countless Saint David’s families over more than five decades. In so
many ways, Father Leonard defined the very essence, the moral
core, the soul of this school. Known for his sense of humor, strong
connections and accessibility with the boys and teachers, he once
said, “At this School for Manhood, The Beatitudes—the blueprint
of Christianity are taught, embedded and embodied: to hunger for
righteousness, to be merciful, to be poor in spirit, to be peacemakers,
to be self-reliant… responsible... thirst for justice... enthusiastic for
life... adventurers of the mind.” He was our master teacher who embedded and embodied these values in deed and word.
When we honored Father Leonard last spring by dedicating our Chapel to him at a special ceremony, he fondly and
humorously reflected on his more than 50-year relationship with Saint David’s, marveling at the beauty of our school’s next
era. How wonderful it was for him to shepherd us once again across an important threshold.
May Tom rest in eternal peace and may he find comfort in God’s warm embrace. He was one of His most dedicated and loyal
servants. We will miss him deeply. Ut viri boni sint.
Winter 2019 • 31