The Rev. George F. Riley marks 40^th anniversary of ordination at campus Mass

On Sunday, March 10, the Rev. George F. Riley, O.S.A. ’58, special assistant to the president for External Relations, observed the 40^th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. This year also marks 40 years of service to the University.

Father Riley and approximately 750  family members,  friends, alums and parishioners gathered on campus Villanova for a celebration which began with a Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Thomas of Villanova Church. He was joined by several of his brother Augustinians, including the outgoing prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, the Very Rev. John E. Deegan ‘57, and his successor, the Rev. Donald F. Riley ‘71.  Rev. Michael J. Michael Scanlon, O.S.A. ’60, the Josephine C. Connelly Professor of Christian Theology and a longtime friend of Father Riley, delivered the homily. Noting Father Riley’s famed good humor along with his gift for making and keeping friends, Father Scanlon  reminded the capacity crowd that Jesus also liked to dine out and visit with friends like Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha, as well as the guests he joined at the marriage feast in Cana.

A reception followed in the Villanova Room of the Connelly Center.

A native of Lawrence, Mass., Father Riley attended Merrimack College before entering the Order of St. Augustine. He received a bachelor's degree from Villanova University in 1958 and went on to earn two master's degrees and a doctorate in education from the Catholic University of America. He was ordained on Feb. 3, 1962.

Father Riley taught religious studies at Villanova and was the University=s first liaison to the Peace Corps. He was director of admissions for the Order of St. Augustine and served as secretary to the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. He also was the province=s archivist for three years.

In 1972, after one year as director of the University Alumni Annual Fund, he was appointed vice president for University Relations, overseeing the offices of Development, Public Relations and Alumni Affairs. He directed two very successful capital campaigns: Covenant I, which helped build the Connelly Center and Covenant II, which provided funding toward  the Pavilion. In 1976, he was the first recipient of the President’s Cup for Outstanding Alumni Service.

In 1991, after 20 years as a vice president, he was appointed to his present position by the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., University president.

Father Riley officiates at 15 to 20 alumni weddings annually and continues to be a presence for Villanova graduates, their families and friends. For the past 40 years, he has served a year round weekend ministry for a number of Catholic parishes in South Jersey. Father also has delivered the benediction at the annual Heisman Trophy Award ceremony for the past 13 years.