When Brother Guy Consolmagno, known as “The Pope’s Astronomer,” addressed students at Cardinal Mooney High School, it felt like a cosmic homecoming.
In a twist of fate, Consolmagno had been baptized by the school’s namesake, Edward Cardinal Mooney, in Detroit. Decades later, this Vatican stargazer visited to inspire students and staff, offering insights into purpose, faith and the profound connections between the universe and spirituality.
“I was born in Detroit, and back then, you were baptized by the bishop,” Consolmagno said during a speech on October 31. “And at the time, the bishop was none other than Edward Mooney, so I definitely feel a connection to the school.”
That connection deepened as Consolmagno encouraged students to view science as a path to understanding God’s creation, bridging the worlds of faith and inquiry.
Dr. Richard Mattiussi, Cardinal Mooney theology teacher, thought Consolmagno’s message left an impression on students. “Life is a journey, and it’s essential to let God guide us through both successes and failures. Consolmagno exemplified this through his own journey, marked by trials and growth, which ultimately led him to the unique role of Jesuit Brother and Vatican astronomer,” Mattiussi said. “His story demonstrated that while our paths might not always be clear, the twists and turns are part of becoming who we are meant to be.”
Working with the Vatican Observatory since 1993, Consolmagno focuses on studying meteorites, asteroids and the evolution of small bodies in the solar system. He spends much of his time at the Vatican’s Advanced Technology Telescope on Arizona’s Mount Graham, researching asteroids, moons and comets, and overseeing the Vatican’s meteorite collection at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence outside Rome.
For Consolmagno, these scientific pursuits are deeply spiritual. “I’m doing the same research as anyone else, but with my religious training, I can recognize that God is present,” he explained. “With that, I can respond to things that other people are seeing with, ‘I hate to tell you, but…’”
His prolific writing, which includes Turn Left at Orion, a guide for amateur astronomers, and The Way to the Dwelling Light, a text exploring physics and creation, aims to make the universe more accessible to believers and seekers alike.
Mattiussi reflected that Consolmagno’s story and words encouraged students to look inward, asking in prayer what gifts God has blessed them with to share with others.
“For Brother Guy, these gifts weren’t in athletics or traditional achievements but in a profound love of science and a passion for sharing it,” Mattiussi said. “Now, as director of the Vatican Observatory, he travels the world, joyfully explaining the wonders of astronomy, demonstrating how every gift can bring light and joy to others.”
After the presentation, Consolmagno took time to answer students’ questions, reminding them that the search for purpose is universal, stretching beyond generations and even beyond the stars. In his words, life’s missteps are not failures but signposts, guiding us closer to understanding ourselves and our place in the cosmos.
“The main questions I get from high school students are about trying to find meaning, or their purpose,” he said. “That’s what everyone in high school is doing—that’s why they’re here. So that’s why I talk about my vocation story, including the stupid things I did, and the mistakes I made. Maybe they’ll make new and different mistakes, but at least after they make them, they’ll realize, ‘Oh, yes—that was a mistake.’”
As he approaches the final months of his high school career, senior Tyler Caputo said he found value in Consolmagno’s message. “Life after high school is getting closer every day, so what he said will really help me as I face decisions,” Caputo said. “It’s good to start thinking about the reality between what you think may be right, and what actually is.”
Consolmagno told those in attendance that everyone has a place in the grand design, with a purpose that may take time—and even mistakes—to unfold. He described his life as “rooted in faith and science,” encouraging people to approach both the cosmos and their inner selves with a sense of wonder, recognizing the mysteries in each.
