Rev. John Huber, CSB, Aquinas Class of 1981, has been elected Superior General* of the Basilian Fathers, becoming the worldwide leader of the Congregation of St. Basil. For Aquinas – guided by the Basilian tradition – this is an extraordinary milestone and a testament to the lasting impact of a Basilian education.
*As Superior General, Fr. Huber now serves as the worldwide leader of the Congregation of St. Basil, guiding the Basilian Fathers and their ministries across Canada, the United States, France, Mexico, and Colombia.
Fr. Huber’s connection to Aquinas spans decades. He first walked the halls of 1127 Dewey Avenue as a student before returning as a teacher, Director of Campus Ministry, and today, as a member of the Board of Trustees. Throughout every stage of his journey, Aquinas has remained at the center of his vocation.
When asked about the moment he learned he had been elected Superior General, Fr. Huber admits he was overwhelmed.
“I was in shock. I had won on the first round, which usually doesn’t happen. They put the votes on the board and for a few seconds I misunderstood and thought it needed to go to a second round. It was then that Fr. Kevin Storey asked me if I would accept. I think my voice trembled a bit when I replied, ‘I do, with the help of God.’”
His calling to the Basilian Fathers began long before his election. Growing up, Fr. Huber was inspired by the Basilian priests and educators who shaped his life at Aquinas, including Mr. John Murphy, Fr. Michael Cerretto, CSB '58, Fr. Rich Ranaletti, CSB '62, Fr. Tom Bayles, CSB, Fr. Jack Seniawski, CSB '65, Fr. Ed Height, CSB, and Fr. Peter Etlinger, CSB.
“Each one taught us so much more than the subject of their class or the responsibility of their office,” he reflected. “I admired the fraternity they shared despite their very different personalities. I decided I wanted to be like them and serve Basilian Catholic education.”
Those lessons stayed with him throughout a lifetime of ministry and education.
Returning to Aquinas as a teacher and Director of Campus Ministry gave Fr. Huber the opportunity to form relationships with students that continue to this day.
“So many of my Facebook friends are students I taught or who were involved in Campus Ministry and Peer Ministry,” he said. “When I think back, my students probably taught me more than I taught them.”
He fondly remembers teaching French, where students chose French names that he still calls them by decades later. Those memories – and the countless others made at Aquinas – continue to inspire his service as a member of the Board of Trustees.
“Aquinas is in my blood,” he said.
His family’s ties to Aquinas run deep. His father was a member of the Class of 1948, his brothers Andy ‘75, Jeff ‘79, and Mark ‘88 are all alumni, and his twin nephews also attended Aquinas. Even while serving as principal of Detroit Catholic Central High School, another Basilian school, Fr. Huber never forgot where his home was.
“When they played the Catholic Central spirit song, which is the same as Aquinas’ because a Basilian brought it from Catholic Central to AQ, I was singing the Aquinas words in my head,” he laughed. “I knew my blood was and will always be maroon.”
As Superior General, Fr. Huber now leads the Basilian Fathers’ ministries across Canada, the United States, France, Mexico, and Colombia. Yet the values that guide his leadership remain the same ones he first encountered as an Aquinas student.
The Basilian motto, ‘Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge,’ continues to shape both his ministry and his vision for the future.
While knowledge and discipline are essential, Fr. Huber believes Goodness is the defining characteristic of a Basilian education.
“I have memories of teaching many students who really had a tough time with academics, and who battled issues of discipline. But they were, and still are, filled with Goodness,” he said. “The desire to help others succeed and be happy, and to help those in need, takes priority, because that is the example Jesus gave us.”
He credits Aquinas’ faculty, staff, and administrators with modeling those virtues every day.
“The faculty, staff, and administration at Aquinas will never fully realize the good they have done by being examples of Goodness,” he said. “It is my responsibility to strengthen and promote these three charisms... That’s true of all of us alumni and alumnae, isn’t it?”
Today, although his responsibilities extend around the world, Fr. Huber remains deeply committed to Aquinas and its Basilian mission. He expressed particular excitement that Aquinas recently became a full member of the Basilian Network of Education in the New Evangelization (BNENE), strengthening its connection with other Basilian schools across North America.
“It is my prayer that these charisms always remain part of the overall AQ experience,” he said. “Our other Basilian schools are inspired by all that Aquinas has been able to accomplish.”
Fr. Huber also offers words of encouragement to today’s students, reminding them that an Aquinas education prepares them not only for careers, but for lives of purpose and service.
“God created them, redeemed them and inspires them,” he said. “They are filled with talents and capacities, many of which they remain still unaware. An Aquinas education... is preparing them for life: life as Christians, as mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, good citizens of integrity and Goodness.”
Finally, he shared a hope close to his heart: that future generations of Aquinas students will continue to answer God’s call.
“I am convinced that there are students and alumni of Aquinas who are called to the priesthood and to religious life,” he said. “May God bless our school now and far into the future.”
As the Aquinas community celebrates this remarkable achievement, we offer our heartfelt congratulations and prayers to Fr. Huber as he begins this new chapter of leadership and service. His election is not only a tremendous honor for the Congregation of St. Basil, but also a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of an Aquinas education… one rooted in Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge, and lived out in service to others around the world.
For more information, visit www.basilian.org.
Pictured in photo 2: New General Council (Left to Right) = Second Councilor: Fr. Pedro Mora, CSB; Vicar General: Fr. Maurice Restivo, CSB; Superior General: Fr. John Huber, CSB '81; Third Councilor: Fr. Terence Kersch, CSB; Fourth Councilor: Fr. Paul English, CSB
Pictured in photo 3: Fr. Huber’s Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity (Fr. Restivo, Vicar General holds the Bible)
Pictured in photo 4: General Chapter Delegates