On Wednesday, April 15, the Knights of Columbus hosted the annual Father Bill Atkinson Lecture in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. The lecture is an annual event that the Villanova community looks forward to.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal Catholic service organization and seeks to provide opportunities for service, friendship and spiritual growth.
The lecture was delivered by Father Rob Hagan, who spoke about the life, influence and spirit of the late Father Bill Atkinson. Hagen serves as the 41st Priot Provincial at the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
Atkinson grew up in Delaware County in a middle-class family. He was one of six children in the household.
He attended high school in Upper Darby, and upon graduating, he felt a call to enter the Augustinian Order.
Interestingly, Atkinson’s brother, Al, was drafted by the New York Jets the same year that Atkinson felt the call to join the Augustinians.
In fact, Al was a key defenseman for the Jets during their victory in Super Bowl III in 1969.
While this was happening, Atkinson was entering the novitiate, which is a year of prayer, reflection and discernment for those who wish to enter the Augustinian Order.
However, during this time, Atkinson was unfortunately involved in a severe accident in which he severed his spine and could never walk again.
He rehabbed at McGhee rehab in Philadelphia for over a year and a half, but he would forever remain a quadriplegic.
“To the surprise of everyone, he expressed his willingness to continue his seminary training,” Hagan said.
At the time, there had never been a quadriplegic ordained priest. In groundbreaking fashion, Atkinson became the first.
He was ordained in upper Darby and did his first service at the Jake Nevin field house.
“He was clear evidence of the virtue of patience,” Hagan said. “He never complained. He lived with joy.”
It was mentioned that Atkinson spent his whole life “listening to people’s problems that were so much smaller than his own.”
He kept a wooden sign in his room at the monastery that said: “Do what you can, and pray to God for the power to do what you cannot.”
When Atkinson passed away in the monastery on campus in 2006, almost immediately, the calls and emails came, along with testimonials that said, “This man impacted my life.”
He referenced the countless testimonies about the impact that Atkinson has had on so many others, including many Villanovans.
“I used to think the pope picked the saints, but what I’ve learned is that the people pick the saints,” Hagan said.
Towards the end of the lecture, Hagan reminded the audience of Atkinson’s message.
“We will this year celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary of our independence,” Hagan said. “What Father Bill and Jesus invite us to celebrate is our dependence. You don’t have to go alone. No one has all the answers. We all need each other.”
