The St. Augustine Medal

For people throughout the world in general, the years 1986/1987 were of little or no significance. Very little occurred to set these dates apart as being especially noteworthy in those waning years of the 20th century.

However, within Augustinian Communities from continent to continent the pace of life quickened. Centenary 16 had finally arrived! That same feeling of joy and elation was felt equally so by the Augustinians laboring here at Msgr. Bonner High School. For the followers of Augustine, wherever they may have been throughout the world, April 24, 1986 marked the 1600th Anniversary of the Conversion of St. Augustine, and signaled the opening of a yearlong celebration of that grace-filled day centuries earlier in Milan when Augustine was baptized and received into the Church by St. Ambrose. Augustine's long struggle with the call of faith was now over. His acceptance of Christ meant that a life devoid of spiritual values would now take on a new meaning and that all his restless energy would soon become a dynamic force within the community of the Church with Augustine ultimately becoming one of its most distinguished scholars and greatest saints.

Bonner's Theology Department wanted to commemorate this singular anniversary in some significant manner and saw in the yearlong Centenary celebration an opportunity to present Augustine accepting Christ into his life as a role model for all our students and alumni as "a man for all seasons," one who struggled with the challenge of faith for many years only to reach his greatest success after he surrendered himself to the Risen Galilean. With that ideal as our goal, a medal was struck, an award was created. Henceforth, each year the Theology Department would confer the St. Augustine Medal on a graduating senior and as well on a Bonner alumnus. In each case, the purpose of this very special award would be to recognize and honor the commitment of the respective recipients in leading a life of Christian witness in today's world reflecting the like commitment which Augustine made of his life to Christ after his conversion and baptism.

In a world of confused values and shifting allegiances, the criteria for determining who the recipients of this medal would be had to be such that they pointed unmistakably to persons who, bother by their peers as well as by the Theology Department, would be recognized as truly Catholic Christian gentlemen, men who would be recognized by their concern for the welfare of others rather than being self-centered, men who value the worth and dignity of all people, who witness to their faith by regular worship at Mass, the reception of the sacraments, as well as in their everyday lives. Yes, the criteria are truly demanding; the candidates may well be few in number. But if one is to wear the mantle of the great Augustine, then indeed his shoulders must be broad, his back straight, his heart committed to testifying before a sometimes hostile world that in the words of the poet Robert Frost, "I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

We are witnessing the beginning of a proud tradition. Distinguished young men on the threshold of adult life along with their older brothers who have met the quality and commitment of their lifestyles and values to the Christian ideals that so transformed the life of Augustine. For the difficult decisions in life that they already made, we salute them. For the inspiration they offer all of us, we honor them. For prodding us to release a similar potential in all our lives, we thank them.

The St. Augustine Medal is conferred annually on an alumnus and a graduating senior at Graduation in June.

STUDENT CONFEREES

1987 - Joseph P. Boyle
1988 - Alan J. Okon
1989 - Brendon J. Dolan
1990 - Jeffrey J. Dougherty
1991 - James W. O'Malley
1992 - Richard J. Jasper
1993 - Robert E. Hechler
1994 - Kevin M. DePrinzio
1995 - Michael J. Sweeney
1996 - Steven H. Truong
1997 - Michael J. Kukla
1998 - Nicholas F. Mirigliano
1999 - Matthew A. Young
2000 - Christopher Allen
2001 - Dean W. Moran
2002 - Patrick K. Benner
2003 - Joseph A. O'Leary
2004 - Mikael V. McCaughey
2005 - Kevin J. Hatch
2006 - Matthew J. Boland
2007 - Brendan M. Boston
2008 - Christopher S. Farrell

ALUMNI CONFEREES

1987 - Ronald L. Gionta '57
1988 - Albert E. Rayner '58
1989 - Richard P. Heron '62
1990 - Rev. William E. Atkinson, O.S.A. '63
1991 - William R. McCann '76
1992 - Judge Frank T. Hazel '60
1993 - Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Herron '65
1994 - Michael J. McKenzie '70
1995 - Ralph J. Celedonio "65" (Mr. Celedonio was named an honorary member of the Class of 1965 in order to receive the Medal) 
1996 - Lawrence E. Dlugos '69
1997 - William F. Dolan '57
1998 - Francis X. Connell '64
1999 - James C. O'Brien '67
2000 - Dr. Thomas F. Rooney '62
2001 - Brian J. Gail '64
2002 - Dr. William J. McCusker '63
2003 - James D. Delaney '69
2004 - Richard F. Walton '71
2005 - Peter G. Federico '58
2006 - John J. Glacken '71
2007 - James M. Caponi '85
2008 - Bradley T. MacDonald '65