Dear Marquette community,
Next Monday, June 9, marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of President Mike Lovell. I thought of him frequently throughout the academic year, but especially on the occasions that he really looked forward to — move-in day, Convocation, Mission Week, National Marquette Day, Baccalaureate Mass, Commencement — and any chance to be with and celebrate our students. I also think of Mike when I visit the College of Nursing’s new home at Straz Hall, the Lemonis Center for Student Success and Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility. These projects were made possible thanks to Mike’s vision to develop facilities that support our students’ Marquette experience.
I hope you take some time next Monday to reflect on the impact Mike had on Marquette and on you, personally. He worked to be the best version of himself in all that he did and committed his life to creating opportunities for others to be the best versions of themselves. One meaningful way to carry his legacy forward is to show each other kindness, practice humility, and take care of your physical, spiritual and mental well-being.
Special cards have been created to share a message or memory with the Lovell family. The cards are available near the Alumni Memorial Union Information Desk, Raynor Library Information Desk, Wellness + Helfaer Recreation entrance and Zilber Hall Lobby Desk.
As a university community, on Monday, June 9, we will celebrate Mike’s life with three special practices that were meaningful to him.
- A Marquette Mile for Mike: At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 9, all are welcome to gather at the main entrance to the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility to walk the Marquette Mile. A short program will begin at 8:45 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, the program and walk will be moved inside the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility.
- Mass: Mass will be celebrated at noon in the Chapel of the Holy Family in the Alumni Memorial Union on Monday, June 9, with boxed lunches and fellowship and sharing of memories immediately following on the terrace outside the chapel. The cards to write a message or memory for the Lovell family will be available after Mass.
- Rosary: A rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. at the Marian Grotto behind the St. Joan of Arc Chapel on Monday, June 9. In case of inclement weather, the rosary will be moved inside the chapel.
Following this message is the Litany of Humility, the prayer that was distributed on cards throughout the Marquette community last summer and is a reminder of how Mike lived his life selflessly and humbly in service of God.
Yours in peace,
President Kimo
Litany of Humility
Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled…
From the desire of being honored…
From the desire of being praised…
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted…
From the desire of being approved…
From the fear of being humiliated…
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes…
From the fear of being calumniated…
From the fear of being forgotten…
From the fear of being ridiculed…
From the fear of being wronged…
From the fear of being suspected…
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I…
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease…
That others may be chosen and I set aside…
That others may be praised and I unnoticed…
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
