I met Father Himes during Pulse, Boston College’s Sophomore Theology/Philosophy six credit philosophy core that mandates community service and year long lectures. Father Himes was my professor.

Father Himes reminds me of the kinds of priests I grew up with in Long Island, specifically Msgr. Robert Clerkin, who actually attended school with Father Himes back in the day. Besides being from New York, the priests shared a similar style in speaking and general interest in the world. I found this to be very comforting for me at Boston College, a new environment.

Himes is a Franciscan, a rare presence on a campus filled with Jesuits, and he carries the Franciscan philosophy of caring for the marginalized members of society with him. This was cool, because I think that the redeemable parts of the church is how it cradles the metaphysical development of people’s desire for justice. Fr. Himes cares.

My favorite lecture by Himes was his one on liberation theology, where he talked about why it was so appealing for people who are underserved by their communities. He conveys this lecture in a way that was probably designed for students who were less sympathetic towards socialism, but nevertheless he expresses how people who have been marginalized deserve dignity, and this was a movement that sought to help bring dignity to the disenfranchised. He also notes how God is someone who historically is with the underdog during battle.

When I was in Junior year, and struggling to get my academic career back on track, I met with Father Himes. Himes made a commitment to me, he made me write out a list of things I needed to do in order to get back on track. After I did it, he said I will call you every day to make sure you get an item knocked off of this list. He actually did this. This meant a lot to me, for a true friend is one who not only sticks around when its easy, but also sympathizes with you when you are down and who doesn’t let you quit on yourself. 

The key takeaway from my time speaking with Father Himes is that life is a gift that is shared by each of us, and if we can help someone, which we so often can, why not do so? His line on prophets comes into play here, “the role of a prophet is to speak truth to power.” Father Himes, who was once chair of the theology department, takes time to speak with the students he teaches, to understand their story, and what they are going through. I hope that I can be a resource like him as I continue to go down my career journey. 

Helpful Quotes:

“Some people are born on third base, but think they hit a triple.”

“The role of a prophet is to speak truth to power.”