A Special Blessing for the Christian Brothers of the Midwest

One of the most meaningful moments from Michael’s recent visit to the Vatican was sharing a piece of his own Lasallian heritage with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

Michael proudly carried with him the Christian Brothers of the Midwest’s 2026 Mission Assembly banner, bearing the words “A Shared Vision for Our Future,” along with a La Salle Midwest cap. During his audience with the Holy Father, Pope Leo held and blessed both.

For Michael, this moment was especially personal. A proud 1989 graduate of St. Joseph High School, he often describes himself as a “Brothers’ Boy.” His years at St. Joseph helped form him in the Lasallian tradition, and the values and relationships rooted in that experience have remained an important part of his life ever since.

That connection is also shared by Mollie, a proud 1999 graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary High School. IHM was founded by the Christian Brothers and shared a close history with St. Joseph High School, making the Christian Brothers and their educational mission an important part of both Michael’s and Mollie’s formative years. Their shared connection to these schools is one of the reasons our relationship with the Christian Brothers of the Midwest carries such personal meaning.

Michael has always been proud to wave the Christian Brothers’ flag and wear the Lasallian hat, so carrying both all the way to the Vatican — quite literally — made this an especially memorable moment.

Seeing the banner in the hands of the Holy Father and receiving his blessing was an extraordinary moment. We are honored to return it to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest as a lasting reminder of its journey to Rome, the blessing it received, and the shared mission it represents.

We are deeply grateful for our longstanding relationship with the Christian Brothers of the Midwest and proud to share this special moment with a community that has meant so much to Michael and Mollie throughout their lives.