If you went to St. Louis University High, or had family that did, you probably heard of Fr. Martin Hagan. A mentor, a counselor, a teacher, a coach. A legend. Fr. Hagan passed away on Monday April 28 at the age of 89. You can read the news release on SLUH's website here.The most widely told story about Fr. Hagan was his practice of learning the name of every single one of the 200-250 freshman at SLUH each year. It's not just a story; it's the truth. And he did this for about 50 years. As a freshman, you began to notice the curious routine of an older Jesuit quietly standing in the entrance of your homeroom, carefully checking something on a clipboard. 2-3 years later, a junior or senior would chuckle when Fr. Hagan would greet them by name in the hall, even though the student might not have ever formally met Fr. Hagan.
I had the good fortune of having a personal relationship with Fr. Hagan. He was my assigned counselor for my freshman year, and my chosen counselor each year after that. I remember that each year I could have chosen someone else (I think the majority of kids had to; Fr. Hagan could only counsel so many), but there was something reverent about our visits that I had never experienced with anyone else. At the end of each meeting, he would bless me, making the sign of the cross in front of me and then placing his hand upon my head. A feeling would come over me that, for lack of a better description, I can only call religious divinity.Rest in peace, Fr. Hagan. You will be missed by many, but never forgotten.
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