Former SLI President and CEO

Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti is a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in1973 as a distinguished graduate and spent six years in the Air Force as an intelligence officer. After ordination, he served in two parishes: St. Patrick in Binghamton, NY and St. James in Johnson City, NY.  He is the author of the Paulist Press bestseller I Am Awake and the Twenty-Third Publications’ Fire on the Earth. He is editor of the Silver Gryphon Award-winning book Slayer of the Soul, author of A Tragic Grace, published by Liturgical Press, the Ave Maria books: When the Lion Roars: A Primer for the Unsuspecting Mystic and The Joy of Priesthood, the latter receiving a Catholic Press Association Book award. He edited Behold Your Mother: Priests Speak About Mary and Ave Maria Press will soon release his latest book: Born of the Eucharist: A Spirituality for Priests.

A licensed psychologist in the States of Maryland and Massachusetts, Msgr. Rossetti has a Ph.D. in psychology from Boston College and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Catholic University. He was chair of the Maryland Psychological Association’s ethics committee. He received a Proclaim Award in 1994 from the U.S. Bishops’ Conference and a Lifetime Service Award from Theological College. He was also a founding board member of Saint John’s University Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute.

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Luke Institute, Msgr. Rossetti led the Institute in significantly expanding its services for both men and women.  This includes expanding the focus of the men’s residential program to treat a wide range of psychological and spiritual difficulties. In addition, a highly effective treatment program for women religious, the Talitha-Life Program, was established. Msgr Rossetti also focused the Institute’s efforts on promoting the psycho-spiritual wellness of thousands of priests and religious internationally through its newsletters, workshops and consultation services.  In 2005, Msgr. Rossetti was asked by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales to spearhead the founding of St. Luke’s Centre, in Manchester, England, a similar program for priests and religious in the U.K. and Ireland.  

During his tenure at SLI, Msgr. Rossetti was instrumental in strengthening the Catholic spirituality and identity of the Institute through an expanded spirituality program for its residents and requesting regular reviews of the Institute by the Archdiocese of Washington.  Archdiocesan reports have consistently praised the work of the Institute.  He has lectured and given workshops to clergy and religious in several countries on spirituality, sexuality, and mental health. He has authored many articles and audiocassette tapes on these issues.

On October 20, Monsignor Rossetti stepped down as the Institute’s President and CEO.  Msgr. Rossetti said, “I am grateful for the wonderful years I have had at Saint Luke Institute. It is a great ministry of grace and healing for our priests and religious.  Nevertheless, after almost 17 years, it is time for me to move on. I am happy to say that I will be joining the faculty at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC and teaching in the School of Theology and Religious Studies. I look forward to working with our future priests and being part of their formation.”  [ Press Release announcing departure.]

> Articles, Books and Audiotapes

Monsignor Rossetti: Awards and Honors

November 19, 2006, Archdiocese of Washington: Conferral of Papal Honor of Monsignor, rank of Chaplain of His Holiness.

October 2004: Alumnus Lifetime Service Award from Theological College of The
Catholic University of America -- (courtesy of Theological College and the
Communications Office of The Catholic University of America)

April 2 - 5, 2003: SLI President Attends Vatican Symposium On Child Abuse

On April 2, 2000: Fr. Rossetti received the Distinguished Priest Award from the John Carroll Society of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. for his significant contribution to health care ministry.

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