Ten years after the death of Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76, the Jesuit community gathered once again in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs to remember a priest, teacher, president, and spiritual father whose influence continues to be felt throughout Carrollton & Banks.

The Fall Evening of Reflection, “Saints Really Do Walk Among Us: Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J.,” brought together alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends for an evening of prayer and remembrance. Following the prayer service, President Fr. John Brown, S.J., and Principal Dr. Jeremy Reuther ’01 shared reflections on Fr. Fitzgerald’s life and the profound impact he had on each of them and on generations of Blue Jays.

Through personal stories, photographs, and memories from Fr. Fitzgerald’s years at Jesuit, the evening offered glimpses of the man so many remembered for his remarkable intellect, dry sense of humor, deep faith, and genuine care for the people around him. At times the stories brought laughter. At others, they invited quiet reflection. Together, they painted a portrait of a Jesuit whose influence was often found in ordinary encounters, conversations in the hallways, time spent with students, spiritual guidance, and a simple willingness to be present to others.

That presence was especially evident in the memories shared throughout the evening. Fr. Fitzgerald served Jesuit in many roles throughout his life, including as a teacher and as president from 2011 to 2014. Following his diagnosis with ALS, the illness that eventually forced him to step away from his work at Carrollton & Banks became another way through which he taught. His trust in God and his willingness to accept each day as an opportunity to praise, reverence, and serve the Lord left a lasting example for those who knew him.

Perhaps most striking was the sense throughout the chapel of just how many lives Fr. Fitzgerald had touched. Though the stories belonged to individual people, the experiences behind them felt familiar to many in attendance. A conversation, a lesson, a homily, a word of encouragement, or simply the feeling that Fr. Fitzgerald had given someone his full attention became part of a much larger story of a life spent in service to others.

Fr. Fitzgerald was fond of reminding students that “there are saints among us.” Ten years after his death, an evening devoted to remembering his life offered a fitting reminder of those words. The photographs and stories recalled a beloved member of the community, but the lasting impression was found in the people gathered in the chapel and in the countless lives that continue to carry something of Fr. Fitzgerald with them.

A decade later, his lessons remain, his stories continue to be told, and his influence still walks the halls of Carrollton & Banks.