Monsignor John F. Myslinski ’65 – An alum that embodies Bonitas et Fidelitas

After graduating from Bishop Fenwick in 1965, John “Jack” Myslinski ’65 went on to study at Boston College and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts. After completing his degree at BC, Jack became a member of the Jesuit New England Province for 8 years. Jack went on to serve as a Federal Officer with the United States Capitol Police in Washington, DC. In 2005 Jack was named a Monsignor by Pope John Paul II, and in the same year, named Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine. On the occasion of being honored by the magazine, President George H. W. Bush wrote to Jack saying, “I commend you for your selfless commitment to those in need, and I thank you for helping to make our Nation’s Capital a better place to live.”

Adding to his many skills, Jack began a career in writing, publishing his first book in 2017 entitled, Strange Gods. Jack’s next book, Something Wicked, is due on bookstore shelves in February 2025. And Jack has already begun the writing of his third book!

When asked how he selected Bishop Fenwick, Jack replied, “There were several good reasons I chose Fenwick—it was a brand new academic building that sat on a beautiful piece of property, many of my friends were attending Fenwick, and I knew the Sisters of Notre Dame were teaching at the School and I had many Sisters teach me in my elementary school years.”

In reflecting back on some of his favorite memories at Fenwick, Jack told us, “Having lunch in the cafeteria with my crowd of friends. We had two tables pushed together and we covered a lot of topics each day and just enjoyed being with each other. It was lunchtime at Fenwick where I formed many great friendships that have lasted till this day…almost 60 years later! And I think the most important skill I learned at Fenwick was the ability to be part of a loving and caring community. I realized good friends and being part of a community doesn’t just happen. It is a skill, and you have to work at it.”

In our closing conversation, Jack shared the following thoughts for today’s Fenwick students, “Always, and I mean always, at every moment of your life, have a small group of friends… friends that will give you honest advice when you ask for it, friends who are never jealous of you, friends who you can open your heart to without the fear of being betrayed, and friends who in sad times will share your tears and who regularly will make you laugh until you cry.”

Thank you, Jack, for sharing your amazing journey with the Fenwick community! If you are interested in pre-ordering Jack’s next book, Something Wicked, you can do so by visiting the website of Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Blackwells, Harvard Book Press, and other larger bookstores.