(On May 1, 2026, Pope Leo XIV named Father Robert P. Boxie III – who was then serving as the chaplain at the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center at Howard University in Washington, D.C. – as a new auxiliary bishop for Washington. On July 7, Bishop Boxie was ordained as an auxiliary bishop for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington during a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The following are first-person reactions to his appointment from current students and a graduate of Howard University, and from the current and past campus minister there. Their responses were emailed to the Catholic Standard newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington before his ordination as a bishop.)
‘Rely on God to provide proper paths’
Jason H. Childs, a junior electrical engineering major at Howard University from Paulina, Louisiana, serves as co-president of the HU Bison Catholic community there. He said Father Boxie’s appointment as a bishop was “a really proud day for the whole HU Bison Catholic community.”
“The day that Father Boxie’s news was announced, my group text with a few HU Bison Catholic students and our campus ministry coordinator started buzzing with sheer excitement at news that I hadn’t even heard about yet. I had to ask them what was going on, and when they sent me the announcement, I, too, was ecstatic for Father Boxie. I remember watching his press conference live and rushing to the Bowman Center to congratulate him. That was a really proud day for the whole HU Bison Catholic community.
“I truly admire Father Boxie’s extreme patience and his welcoming spirit. Those qualities are very beneficial in a college environment. A campus such as Howard’s attracts people from various backgrounds and faith formations. For many Catholic students, college life is the first time they actively pursue or interrogate their personal faith, and for many Catholic-curious students, this is the first time that they are exposed to Catholic tradition.
“Father Boxie is exceptionally patient and takes time to answer questions about the Catholic faith. He has genuine excitement and zeal for evangelizing and educating, and he takes true interest in his students’ lives. When I see Father Boxie in the Bowman Center or on campus he often asks about my family, my classes, my weekend plans, my faith journey, and anything else that may be on my mind. Father Boxie meets his parishioners where they are without judgment. He is a true friend and excellent example of the person Christ calls us to be.
“At the start of my sophomore year, Father Boxie asked me to meet with him in the Bowman Center Chapel. He wanted to hear about the internship that I had just completed and my goals and plans for my second year of college. We talked about the things I was excited and stressed over for the coming year. He gave me solid advice from his college years and reminded me to rely on God to provide proper paths. Speaking with Father Boxie helped me to not worry over things that were outside of my control. Because of his advice, I had a more enjoyable year and developed some of my strongest friendships. I’m honored to contribute to the work that Father Boxie started as co-president of HU Bison Catholic.”
‘That’s my chaplain’
Jason (JB) Whitaker, a sophomore computer engineering major from Prince George’s County, Maryland, described what it was like having Father Boxie as his spiritual director who looked out for him at a challenging time.
“I honestly chuckled a little when I first heard the news. A week prior to the news, Father Boxie asked for me to pray for him, but when I asked him what for, he gave me a closed-off answer, saying, ‘Nothing in particular, just pray for me.’ So part of me was like, ‘Oh, this is serious,’ but another part of me was like, ‘All I can do is pray for whatever intentions he had in his heart.’
“So when I first found out the news, I was like, 'Oh, that’s what he wanted me to pray for him for.’ After that, like any big news, I don’t think you realize the gravity of it until the initial emotions pass over. I went from all giddy and excited for him becoming the new auxiliary bishop, being all boastful like, ‘Yeah, that's my chaplain.’ ‘He's my spiritual director’ and other things to ‘Dang, he’s really leaving us,’ and it’s really that second part that hits you. Like a friend who moves away after graduation or focuses on their own career, you’re a little sick to your stomach because you look back retrospectively and realize those times were good and you’re going to miss them, but at the same time you’re happy for them because you know they’re moving towards the very thing that they desire. And when that thing is God himself as a good friend, you can’t be any happier.
“Father Boxie is very intentional in everything he does, and he is not afraid to address something that he doesn’t like. I was lucky enough to have Father Boxie as my spiritual director, and I can tell you there are a lot of conversations we had that, on my own accord, I would have rather not had. He is not afraid to ask the uncomfortable questions and have those tough conversations. I think this can put some people off, but if you need someone to hold you accountable, go to Father Boxie.
“With his intentionality, there was one week where I wasn’t feeling too well mentally and spiritually, and this was because my grandfather had passed that week. After our Sunday night Masses we have food and fellowship, and I’m usually one of the last people to leave, but this day I just couldn’t be around anybody else, and I slipped out when I thought no one was looking, and I walked all the way to the chapel, which was around a 20-minute walk, and decided to pray. When I got there I immediately fell into tears and bawled my eyes out.
“After a couple of minutes I looked at my phone to see what time it was, and I saw this text from Father Boxie saying, ‘Hey man. Just checking in on you. Everything ok?’ I hadn’t said goodbye to anyone and hadn’t let anyone know I was leaving, but the first text I see was from Father Boxie checking in on me. I hadn't let anyone know that my grandfather had passed or how I was feeling, but Father Boxie knew something was off. That simple text lightened my mood because it showed to me that even in that moment where I thought no one was paying attention, Father Boxie was always keeping an eye out and making sure everything was all right.
“The first time meeting Father Boxie will be an unforgettable experience that I’ll always reminisce about. For context, I went to high school at St. Mary’s Ryken in Leonardtown, Maryland, and that is where newly ordained Father Jessiah Rojas went to high school and other priests and seminarians went to school as well. Anyway, I took honors senior theology with John Olon, and if there’s one thing that I have learned about Mr. Olon, it is that somehow, someway every priest and seminarian knows of him or is connected to him in some manner or another. Mr. Olon, alongside teaching his senior theology class, had a ‘club’ (it was more of an unofficial gathering) to participate in what was called GS (Gioventù Studentesca, it is the high school version of Communion and Liberation founded by Msgr. Luigi Giussani). It was our last meeting of the year, and we were in the rectory of Sacred Heart in La Plata after our baccalaureate Mass, and after our meeting, we (me and my now-roommate, Kylan) told Mr. Olon that we were attending Howard.
“Mr. Olon, a couple of weeks prior, told us to message Father Boxie letting him know we were attending Howard, and we hadn’t, but this time he wouldn’t let us leave till we showed him that we had texted Father Boxie. I text Father Boxie, ‘Hey, I’m an incoming student at Howard, my name is JB…’ all the good stuff and whatnot. A couple of days later, Father Boxie texts back and is like, ‘Can’t wait to meet you guys,’ and ‘Glad you guys chose Howard.’
“August comes around, and it was time for Freshman Orientation. All the organizations and clubs were on ‘The Yard’ with their posters and tables out, ready to greet the new freshmen. Kylan and I texted Father Boxie that we were on The Yard and that we were looking for the table, and then we finally ran into Father Boxie and the HU Bison Catholic table. We introduced ourselves, but usually when I first introduce myself to someone who I don’t know, I usually tell them Jason, but then later tell them to call me JB because that’s what everyone calls me. Father Boxie looks at me and Kylan like we’re complete strangers, and we have the small talk superficial starter conversation, and then we get into how we knew Mr. Olon and how we texted Father Boxie a couple of months ago, and like a man who hit the lottery, he just lights up and goes, ‘Oh, you’re JB and Kylan!!!,’ and he then embraces us with a dap and warm hug that could only be comparable to what the Apostles must have felt when they were embraced by Christ. It was this odd realization in that moment that this man who we texted quite some time ago yet never met in person had greeted us as if we were friends reconvening after not talking to each other for years.
“It was through this simple action of a hug that it became apparent that Father Boxie carried the love of Christ with him, and if there is anything that Father Boxie will carry with him in his episcopate, it is that he will carry this love with every soul that he will touch. And every soul that Father Boxie touches will be a soul that will be touched by Christ and drawn to Christ. I say this with certainty because with each conversation, road trip, homily, shared laugh, hug, and Confession, I have been impacted by Father Boxie to the degree that I can say he has changed my life. He has changed my life because he is a witness to Christ and has shown me there is nothing more fulfilling than imitating Christ, so I am forever grateful for Father Boxie and wish him the best of luck in his new appointment!”
An ability to connect with people
Jordan Allen, a senior honors psychology major and criminology minor at Howard University from Allentown, Pennsylvania, is serving as one of this year's co-presidents for the HU Bison Catholic community there. She reflected on how Father Boxie was approachable to students and able to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
“Like many others, I was surprised when I heard the news that Father Boxie had been named an auxiliary bishop for Washington. I am incredibly excited to see what he accomplishes in this new role, because there is truly no one more deserving of the position. At the same time, I am saddened that he will be leaving his role as chaplain at Howard University. Much of the growth and strength of the Howard University Bison Catholic community was built under the guidance of Bishop-elect Boxie, and his presence will be deeply missed by all of us.
“One of Father Boxie’s greatest qualities is his ability to make people feel comfortable and valued. While some priests can seem intimidating to approach, Father Boxie is always warm, friendly, and personable. He has an incredible gift for remembering people’s names, even if he has only met them once. If you introduce him to a friend or family member, he will often follow up later and ask how that person is doing. More importantly, he genuinely cares about the people he meets and welcomes them as family. He is always happy to answer questions about the faith, whether they are simple or deeply theological, and he truly enjoys helping others grow in their faith journey. I believe this combination of pastoral care, humility, and approachability will serve him exceptionally well as a bishop.”
“One of my favorite memories is from when our community prayed the Stations of the Cross through the neighborhood around the Bowman Center. A woman came out and followed us back to the center. She did not speak English, but Father Boxie was able to speak with her in Italian and personally invited her to attend Mass at the chapel. During the Mass, he even incorporated parts in Latin because he knew it would help her participate more fully. She still occasionally comes to the chapel for Mass. That moment felt like a true ‘God moment’ to me. Despite a language barrier, Father Boxie was able to make this woman feel welcomed and included.
“His ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures is remarkable, and I think it reflects the kind of bishop he will be. On a lighter note, Father Boxie is also known for always posing with a peace sign in photos. We often joke that we’re ‘doing the Father Boxie’ when we pose the same way. He also loves sneakers, which may seem like a small detail, but it gives him a genuine, relatable quality that helps people see him not only as a priest, but as someone who is approachable and authentically himself.”
A voice for the younger generation
Kelly Wirlen graduated from Howard University in the spring of 2026 with a bachelor of science degree in health sciences, double minoring in biology and chemistry. Wirlen – who is from Prince George’s County in Maryland and is originally from Cameroon – is currently in a gap year before applying to medical school.
“(When I heard the news that Father Boxie had been named as a bishop) I was shocked to say the least. I vividly remember waking up to an unusual number of messages from our ministry GroupMe, and I thought something either really good or really bad had happened. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. It’s not every day someone can say their chaplain has been made bishop; it was a lot to take in, and I can only imagine the shock Father Boxie experienced himself.
“Something that I have realized over the years is Father’s ability to welcome curiosity, foster inclusivity, and genuinely meet people where they are. Chaplains have the unique role of not just residing behind church walls but going out and finding community to make the church. Watching his interactions with others on campus and even in the way I was welcomed into the community, you can see his desire to connect with people first. It’s quite interesting how much he can remember just from one conversation you have with him.
“Being in an HBCU (historically Black college or university) as well, there are a lot of questions, especially from other faith denominations about Catholicism, that I think Father does a great job of welcoming. Another crucial and integral part of my experience in this ministry is how much we are made aware of the presence of Black people and our contributions to Catholicism. I definitely think the bishop-elect will do a great job carrying these qualities into his new call.
“I think my favorite memories of Father Boxie have to be from our pilgrimage we made this past spring to all the Black Catholic historical sites in the South. During this pilgrimage, we journeyed through Atlanta, Louisiana, Alabama, and the Carolinas. While there are so many memories to choose from, I think my favorite memory was at a roller-skating rink called Cascades in Atlanta. We had an eventful day of touring HBCUs and conversing with civil rights activists.
‘Ending the night skating was definitely not on the agenda. He had driven the entire journey, and I was almost certain he would end up calling it a night early. Seeing his skates hit the rink revealed a childlike joy I never thought I would find in my chaplain. If anything, I think this trip made me see the humanity in Father in a way that not many see outside of Mass. Being the youngest bishop in the United States, I think the unspoken challenge is figuring out how to be the voice of the younger generation. But if I know my chaplain, then I think we will be just fine.”
Kelly Wirlen wrote the following reflection on Bishop Boxie for the summer 2026 Bison Catholic Forum on the Howard University Catholic Bison website.
https://www.hubisoncatholic.com
“Words cannot begin to describe the immense joy that filled the hearts of the Bison Catholic community the day our chaplain as announced as the ‘bishop-elect.’ Father Robert Boxie III has been one of the spearheads of my identity as a Catholic, but most importantly, as a Black Catholic. It’s not easy to keep the faith and continue the race, especially in the culture of collectivism that is so indoctrinated into college life. Joining HU Bison Catholic for Mass my first year at Howard, I took a leap of faith and branched out into my own journey and walk with God. Of course, seeing a familiar face (Father Boxie was assigned to my former parish, St. Joseph in Largo, Maryland) made the leap all the more comforting.
“I have been truly blessed these past couple of years having such a grounded, hardworking and understanding chaplain. From the intentionality of Black saints displayed in our student center to the countless conversations on inclusion in the Church, I think we all instinctively knew that our bishop-elect was being called to something bigger. God made no mistake in making my priest the youngest bishop who will be a voice for young Catholics to be seen and heard. Nina Simone famously said, ‘to be young, gifted and Black,’ and while that is all the more true in this context, might I rephrase it: ‘to be young, Catholic and Black.’ Congrats again to Bishop-elect Boxie. We are so very proud of you!”
A spiritual father to students
Ogechi Akalegbere serves as the campus minister at the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center at Howard University. Akalegbere said her reaction to Father Boxie’s appointment as an auxiliary bishop was “extreme joy. I burst into tears.”
“Father Boxie has helped build an amazing ministry here at Howard, and his care and passion for young adults is evident in how we have grown and how his work encouraging vocations has inspired many students.
“On a personal note, as my spiritual director, he has helped me heal tension I had with injustices I have experienced by people of faith and my vocation to work in ministry. What a blessing to have someone I know as a friend and chaplain elevated to this role in the Church at a time when healing continues to be necessary.
“He is always willing to listen to young adults and other leaders in the community. He is very synodal in his process as a leader and chaplain. He thinks very critically but is able to make clear decisions because he always considers the many layers and stakeholders involved. He is a bishop who I can confidently say will always choose to ‘smell like the sheep,’ because his heart is deeply tethered to the communities he serves. I see this in how involved his past parish St. Joseph and Immaculate Conception Parish have been in our ministry.
“I don’t have enough words to state his impact on students. He has been a spiritual father who has allowed many to see themselves as not only full members of the Church, but he has set a standard for our students that active participation in the Church is expected and necessary. He can often be heard saying ‘the Church needs your voice and leadership.’ As a chaplain he goes further by creating spaces to practice leadership and by encouraging gifts and traits he witnesses each student to have.
“I have so many fun Father Boxie memories – from his recruiting seminarians to help me change a flat tire after fellowship, to him competing with students in ping pong, to him showing his hilarious personality to students during our recent spring break pilgrimage. I think nothing compares to Father Boxie just being his full self before, during and after events. Those in between moments when you encounter a priest and they allow their full personality to shine humanizes them. It’s important that clergy never lose that charm and connection with their flock. I believe Father Boxie has shown that he will always remain human since his appointment in his many ‘gift of tears’ moments with students and in press conferences.”
Meeting the needs of young people and our times
Ali Mumbach, formerly the campus minister at the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center at Howard University, now serves as a research assistant and communications assistant at CARA, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, which is affiliated with Georgetown University.
“My reaction (to his appointment) was surprise, but it was just surprise at how soon it came. Many of us knew that Father Boxie would be a bishop one day. We jokingly would call him Bishop Boxie. So it wasn’t a surprise that he became a bishop, we just didn’t know it would be so soon. I was surprised and excited. The bishops’ conference and the Church needs more young bishops and active African American bishops. The Church gets both in Father Boxie. And I know that the Black Catholic community is just very proud that one of ours has been called up. It is long overdue. But it is fitting that Pope Leo, a Creole Catholic himself and descendant of enslaved people, would elevate an African American bishop in Father Boxie.”
Asked about what qualities that she witnessed in Father Boxie as the Catholic chaplain at Howard University that will serve him well as a bishop, Mumbach said, “First and foremost would be his heart for people, and especially young people. Father Boxie has a curiosity about people – their background, their interests, their relationship to the Church – and he is always able to find a connection to people through that curiosity. He then is able to relate to people in a way that is personal. This will serve him as a bishop because the bishops oftentimes seem far away and out of touch from laypeople. But I trust that Father Boxie will continue to use his curiosity about the humans and the souls in front of him to stay connected to the people, to his new flock.
“I also witnessed Father Boxie’s appreciation of the Black Catholic spirituality and apostolate. Being at one of the few historically Black colleges/universities with a Catholic ministry, we frequently uplifted, taught, and grew the gifts of Blackness that the Church both has and has not recognized. Even as Father Boxie grew up in a Black Catholic community, I think being the chaplain of HU Bison Catholic expanded his gratitude for what it means, looks like, and feels like to be in a Black Catholic space. This will serve him well as a bishop because he will take those experiences with him and advocate for the needs of the Black Catholic community, which many of the bishops have no knowledge of…
“Father Boxie has had a significant impact on the students that have been part of the HU Bison Catholic community. His passion for the Church and for the students was tangible, and made it easy for students to feel welcomed and wanted in the ministry. His interest in the lives of students was very genuine and they could feel that. A lot of students have had negative experiences in the Catholic Church – whether they grew up being the only one of a few Black people at a Catholic church or school; never saw sacred imagery or were taught about the holy men and women who look like them that are a part of this Church; or learned that to be Catholic meant they had to remove their cultural identity. Being under the pastoral care of Father Boxie, they got to unlearn all those lies. They got to see a priest who looked like them, who knew and understood their struggles and experiences, and who could show them the history and legacy of Black Catholics that they get to participate in. And students got to witness his love and passion for the faith that animated him daily. I know this will have a lasting impact on the students.
“One memory that makes me laugh is when the students wanted Father Boxie to do a social media trend. He’s not a social media guy himself and would never want to do something like this on his own, but he was willing to do it to reach the youth. He had to dance while walking down kind of a ‘Soul Train’ line as the students hyped him up. It was great and reached further on social media than anything else we ever posted. This is a silly memory. But I think what it illustrates about the kind of priest Father Boxie is and the kind of bishop he will be is firstly his desire to reach young people. He listened to the students about doing the challenge because 1.) they were excited about it, and also 2.) the opportunity to meet other young people where they are – on social media.
“As a bishop, I believe he will continue to find ways to relate to young people, who are the future and the now of the Church. Secondly, in a small way, it shows that Father Boxie is willing to be uncomfortable to promote the Gospel. He was a bit embarrassed to do the dance/trend. But if it meant creating a bridge or opportunity for encounter, he was willing to do it. As a bishop, he will need to continue to get uncomfortable, and make others uncomfortable as Jesus did, in order to meet the needs of our times and especially to represent the Black Catholic community in his clerical position.”
