Dear Mendel Catholic High School Alumni and Friends,

With hearts full of joy, we join the global Catholic community in celebrating the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. As the first American pope, his historic ascent to the papacy is a moment of immense pride for Chicago’s South Side and the Augustinian family that shaped our beloved Mendel Catholic High School. While not a Mendel alumnus, Pope Leo XIV’s deep Augustinian roots, upbringing in Dolton, early ministry at St. Rita of Cascia High School, and familial ties to Mendel through his brothers, Louis Prevost (Class of ’69) and John Prevost (Class of ’72), resonate profoundly with our community, reflecting the values that defined our school’s legacy.

Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital, Robert Prevost grew up in Dolton, in a 1,200-square-foot brick house on East 141st Place, purchased by his parents, Louis and Mildred Prevost, in 1949. His family’s life centered around St. Mary of the Assumption Church, located on 137th Street at the Chicago-Dolton border, where young Robert served as an altar boy and attended the parish school. This vibrant, faith-filled community, with its dense Catholic population, mirrored the spirit of the South Side neighborhoods that sent students to Mendel, including his brothers, Louis and John, who proudly graduated from our school. As an Augustinian friar, Prevost was formed by the same order that founded and ran Mendel from 1951 to 1988, instilling in him the principles of community, truth, and service that we hold dear.

Prevost’s early formation included time at an Augustinian minor seminary, likely St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, followed by a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University, another Augustinian institution. He returned to Chicago to earn a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, where he was ordained an Augustinian priest in 1982. His first assignment after ordination was at St. Rita of Cascia High School on the South Side. This role placed him in the heart of Chicago’s Catholic community, ministering to students and families in a setting similar to Mendel’s mission of forming young men in faith and service.

In 1985, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, serving as a missionary, priest, and teacher in the diocese of Chiclayo. His leadership as prior general of the worldwide Augustinian order (2001–2013) took him to nearly 50 countries, fostering unity among Augustinian communities. Appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in 2014 and Cardinal in 2023, he later served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis. His pragmatic, inclusive approach—described as “dignified middle of the road”—carries the practicality and warmth of his Chicago-area roots. Notably, his mother, Mildred Prevost, served as the librarian and president of the Mothers Club at Mendel from 1969 to 1975, further tying the family to our school’s legacy, alongside the contributions of Louis and John as Mendel graduates who embodied the school’s spirit of service and community.

In recognition of his deep ties to the Mendel community, the Mendel Alumni Association proudly named Pope Leo XIV an Honorary Mendel Alumnus on May 13, 2025. This honor celebrates his Augustinian roots, his family’s legacy at Mendel Catholic High School, and his spiritual leadership as the head of the Catholic Church.

Though not a Mendel graduate, Pope Leo XIV’s Augustinian formation, Dolton upbringing, ministry at St. Rita, and family connection through his brothers, Louis and John, make him a spiritual brother to our community. Mendel was a beacon of Augustinian values, where friars taught, coached, and inspired young men to live with purpose. Prevost’s life of service, from Peru’s parishes to the Vatican, embodies the same call to communion and care for the marginalized that defined our school. His election as Pope Leo XIV is a testament to the enduring impact of Augustinian spirituality, which continues to shape leaders who change the world.

On behalf of the Mendel Alumni Association, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. We pray for his wisdom and strength as he leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. To our alumni, let this moment inspire us to recommit to the Augustinian ideals that unite us: to seek truth, build community, and serve with love. Join us at our next alumni gathering to share memories of Mendel and celebrate this historic chapter.

With pride and prayers,
The Mendel Catholic High School Alumni Association