• Seton Hall University
• Office of the President

Dear Community,

Just one week ago, I returned from walking a portion of the Camino de Santiago, a Christian pilgrimage route for more than 1,000 years that ends at the shrine of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. My group of fellow pilgrims along the Way were about 20 fellow Setonians.

Though I had walked the Camino before, it had been years since I attempted the journey. I wondered if I had the stamina to make the pilgrimage a second time. Rather than trying to grasp the enormity of my goal all at once, I focused on the smaller journey inherent in each day. Just walk!

Even with that mindset, I might not have succeeded if not for the Seton Hall community members walking with me. Day after day, we supported each other along the routes and byways, sharing supplies, prayers and conversation with unstinting generosity.

The year we begin tomorrow is an academic pilgrimage — a long and incredibly rewarding journey to intellectual, practical and spiritual fulfillment. All of our goals are in front of us, just waiting to be realized. And all the tools and support we need are arrayed before us, just waiting to be grasped.

The first days of the semester are an opportune time to determine your goals for the year and seek support in achieving them. Some goals are universal: to make excellent grades if you are a student, or provide exemplary service if Seton Hall is your workplace.

Other goals are more personal and require discernment. What do you want for yourself this year that is specific to you? Do you want to be more social, or social in a different way? Do you want to advance in a subject or task that has been consistently difficult for you? Do you want to take on new responsibilities or develop new interests?

In many ways, these goals are the most meaningful, as they matter chiefly to you. And unlike universal goals, you are the sole arbiter of your progress toward achieving these objectives.

After a period of reflection, I encourage you to express your goals to other members of the Seton Hall community. We are never more vibrant than when we are sharing ourselves with others; that includes sharing our goals and relying on the strength of our community to support us in our efforts.

Friends, peer advisors, faculty members, clergy, colleagues and many other individuals can act as partners and sounding boards to help keep us on track and make this year extraordinary.

Tomorrow we will take our first steps into the new academic year.  Be assured of my prayers, care and companionship as we begin this year’s Seton Hall pilgrimage together.  Just walk!

Yours truly in the Lord Jesus,

Monsignor Reilly
University President