Fr. Buckley Honored at 100th Birthday Celebration

All Souls Day marked the 100^th birthday of Rev. Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J., the beloved onetime chaplain of Thomas Aquinas College. Six days later, family members and his many dear friends gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Held at the Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos, California, the party welcomed guests from many of the institutions Fr. Buckley once served, including the University of San Francisco, the St. Ignatius Institute, Ignatius Press, and of course, Thomas Aquinas College, which co-sponsored the event along with the Chesterton Academy of St. James. Each guest greeted Fr. Buckley with smiles and kind blessings during a cocktail hour.

The atmosphere was joyful, as attendees caught up and met new friends, sharing happy memories about the “Jesuit Giant” who had brought them all together. As partygoers sat down to enjoy dinner, TAC’s vice president for advancement, Dr. John J. Goyette, began the program of events with a birthday-wish video featuring cheerful greetings from members of the College’s faculty, staff, Board of Governors, and alumni:

Following the video, the founder of Ignatius Press, Rev. Joseph Fessio, S.J., stepped up to offer thanks to his longtime friend. In particular, he thanked Fr. Buckley for encouraging him to study at the Sorbonne Université in Paris, France. “None of this would have happened,” he remarked, alluding to his following accomplishments, had he not taken Fr. Buckley’s advice. Derek Kulda, chairman of the Chesterton Academy’s board of directors, also gave remarks honoring his fellow member of the school’s board, followed by a performance from the Academy’s student choir.

Finally, Fr. Buckley thanked all in attendance for their love and support, then reflected on his time at the Navy, Ignatius Press, the Chesterton Academy, and Thomas Aquinas College — calling his time at the College, “the most thrilling job I ever had, because of the intellectual atmosphere, the religious atmosphere, the social atmosphere — it was tremendous.” With his usual wit and humor, he observed “Somebody said that they didn’t know how I managed to get to 100 years old, and I just want to say, it’s not my fault — and I’ll do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen anymore!”

Guests left the event delighted for time well spent and grateful for the blessing of Fr. Buckley in the lives of so many. “We had a great turnout for the luncheon and were treated to some touching remarks, especially from Fr. Fessio, who described how Fr. Buckley’s mentorship and wise counsel changed the entire trajectory of his life and priesthood,” observes Dr. Goyette. “As he looked around the room, he said that he was coming to the realization that he wasn’t the only person whose life was changed by Fr. Buckley. It was quite moving.”