A Gentle, Modest Man of Great Wisdom

Answer the Call features in this issue Father William Ribando, C.S.C.

The story of Father William Ribando, C.S.C. is one of a man of quiet, steady and faithful service to the Church and to the Congregation of Holy Cross. His unassuming nature belies the skill and wisdom that he has brought to every assignment he has undertaken, from high school teacher to college professor, from "one of the guys" to the "leader of this merry band."

Father Bill has served at King's College for a number of years. He was in the Theology Department and has been its chairman more than once throughout his tenure. He has been a full, tenured professor, and is now professor emeritus. The many, many students who have returned to seek out their former professor, Father Ribando, testify to the esteem in which they hold him. He is regarded as a wise and steady voice of reason and sanity on the campus, even at faculty meetings.

In the midst of one of his quiet semesters, the call came for him to take over the reins of the Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers as the Provincial. Out of the blue, he went from one of the many to being the one to whom we all looked for leadership. His response was immediate and complete. He gave himself to the task with the same ardor and enthusiasm with which he taught his classes. And, in the same manner, he managed to gain the esteem and gratitude of his fellow religious.

Once the responsibility of provincial was removed from his slight though sturdy shoulders, Father Bill returned to being one of the guys again, with no airs or claim to any special treatment. He is to all Holy Cross religious a model of the humility of religious life. We thank God for his presence among us and for the example he has been to us.

I hope you enjoy reading about the life of this man of Holy Cross.

Read more about Fr. William Ribando, C.S.C., in Answering the Call. (PDF file: 363KB)

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