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Let Me Introduce You to Father Hesburgh Msgr. George G. Higgins April 12, 1999  Holy Cross Father Theodore Hesburgh, president of the University of Notre Dame for a record-breaking 35 years (he retired in 1987), is a man of many parts. One of the best known U.S. priests, his ability to do many things at once and to do them so well -- and, above all, to integrate them so successfully into his priestly ministry -- has been phenomenal. Father Andrew Greeley observed years ago that Father Hesburgh "may just be the greatest university president currently practicing in the United States.'' Whatever of that, he certainly has been a pre-eminent figure in the history of higher education.  He has been more, however. While transforming Notre Dame into a great university, he was transformed into a national figure with enormous influence. He was tapped for service by every American president since Eisenhower and by three popes. His 15 presidential appointments involved him in almost all the major social issues; for 15 years he served on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.  Father Hesburgh, now in his 80s, has traveled literally millions of miles, visited more than 100 countries and, an accomplished linguist, has communicated in personal terms with thousands of people around the world from all walks of life. Through it all he took everything gracefully in stride and managed remarkably well to keep his feet on the ground. All this is by way of recommending enthusiastically a new biography of Father Hesburgh by Michael O'Brien, professor of history at the Fox Valley campus of the University of Wisconsin ("Hesburgh: A Biography,'' The Catholic University of America Press, Washington).  O'Brien made expert use of Father Hesburgh's extensive archives and interviewed many of his confreres and associates on and off the Notre Dame campus. This enabled him to put Father Hesburgh's incredibly busy and crowded life in the context of time and place. And while O'Brien clearly admires Father Hesburgh tremendously as priest and public figure, the book is honest history, warts and all. Readers who know Father Hesburgh only by reputation are in for a few minor surprises. He never has been a great football fan -- quite the contrary -- and despite his fabulous success in raising funds for Notre Dame, he never enjoyed doing so and hates to approach individual donors for contributions. What surprised me most is the extent and depth of his pastoral ministry. Few American priests not engaged full time in pastoral ministry can match his exemplary record in this regard.  O'Brien rightly stresses Father Hesburgh's respectful but straightforward honesty in dealing with high-ranking officials, including presidents and popes. O'Brien also stresses Father Hesburgh's willingness to admit mistakes and correct them. All in all, he comes through as a man of extraordinary vision who has combined superlative managerial skills with an abiding sense of mission and a contagious commitment to Christian values, the highest standards of academic excellence and public service. He has been a unique figure in 20th-century American Catholicism.  O'Brien's biography leaves me with one nagging question. He says that during his entire career Father Hesburgh has had only one secretary, Helen Hosinski. I take his word for it, but simply cannot imagine how any one individual could have handled the tens of thousands of letters and memos, and the hundreds, if not thousands, of speeches and public statements Father Hesburgh has turned out. Hosinski must be as energetic and talented as her boss. She still works with Father Hesburgh in his retirement.  Their office, with a spectacular view of the Notre Dame campus, is located at the top of the university library, appropriately named after Father Hesburgh. They have made a great team for half a century and together put us all in their debt.   Papal Social Encyclicals   Other Catholic Social Teachings General Articles of Interest  Catholic Worker Connection Msgr. George Higgins  Home Page E-Mail: Fr. Sinclair Oubre