St Gregorys University - Knight Life Yearbook (Shawnee, OK)

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Distinguished Alumnus its v i. i I t i tc z 1, :iff U. -s '-1, 14 L- 1 liz bil 1 The Most Reverend Stephen A. Leven, D.D., PhD. Auxiliary Bishop San Antonio Titular Bishop ol Bure The grace of God has indeed been fruitful in the Most Rev- erend Stephen A. Leven whose apostolic zeal, coupled with strik- ing efficiency and marked personal charm, has merited for him brilliant distinctions and mature responsibilities. His Excellency is St. Gregory's first alumnus C1920-19213 to be raised to the episcopate. Ordained priest at the age of 23 in 1928, Bishop Leven's preparatory studies were pursued in many fine institutes, the most distinguished of which was the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, to which seat of learning he was recalled in 1935 to serve as vice-rector. His Excellency filled this capacity until 1938 when the degree of doctorate of philosophy was conferred upon him avec grande distinction. Returning to Oklahoma, Bishop Leven devoted himself un- sparingly to parochial duties and other works which assumed national religious significance. While pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish, Enid, Oklahoma, he was raised to the rank of Monsignor, receiving the title of Papal Chamberlain in December 1949. In September 1955 he was pro- '7' o- .3 il, moted to the rank of Domestic Prelate. Appointed as Auxiliary to Archbishop Lucey of San Antonio and Titular Bishop of Bure, Bishop Leven was consecrated February 8, 1956, and all Okla- homa reioiced to see a native son so honored. Brief allusion must be made to the more notable accomplish- ments of this outstanding alumnus. He organized the first Na- tional lnstitute of Street Preaching and directed institutes of street preaching for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for five years. He served as National Director of the Confraternity in the U.S. from 1939 to 1940. During World War II, he was representa- tive of the Catholic Church providing for the religious needs of prisoners of war interned in Oklahoma. From 1946 until his eleva- tion to the episcopacy, he served as Spiritual Moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and from 1947 he was Prosynodal Judge in the diocesan court. Oklahoma's loss, of course, is Texas' great and good gain. St. Gregory's congratulates the Lone Star state on the acquisition of a most illustrious alumnus, the Most Rev. Stephen A. Leven, D.D., Ph.D., successor of the Apostles.

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155. .ffgif S BID IBBUSIIJS VALDE ww I mg rv 1 f'qk'x r'!' gd 5 ifvni' A , ' A 6 4 52: -.aw -ef The Right Reverend Philip Berning, OSB. Abbot and President of St, Gregory's