Rev. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., was inspired to become an Augustinian priest because of Father Bill Atkinson’s own incredible relationship with God.
Rev. Hagan, a Drexel Hill native, serves as the Prior Provincial at The Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
He spoke about the life and canonization of Father Atkinson back in June on the Jesuitical Podcast from American Media at American Magazine.
Father Atkinson was an Augustinian friar who taught at Monsignor Bonner High School. He was the first quadriplegic ordained in the Catholic Church. The Vatican is reviewing his case for possible sainthood.
His life, according to Father Rob, was a miracle.
Father Rob got to know Bill Atkinson while still in high school, as the uncle of one of his high school friends.
He remembers sitting with him at a Super Bowl party, feeding him chips.
“I would have the honor to help feed him. He needed help with everything that you and I just take for granted every day,” Father Rob said. “And what I saw in him was not a man who was bitter, not a man who was resentful, not a man who was complaining, but a man who was filled with joy,” where his humanity shone through.
Father Atkinson was a teacher and a chaplain who spent his whole life listening to people’s problems that were so much smaller than his own, yet he was still the one people went to for hope, Father Rob said.
“His whole life was about dependence, and he did it with grace. He accepted help, and then he was able to offer other people help who depended on him,” Father Rob said.
He’s still amazed that a man who is up for canonization went to Monsignor Bonner High School, married and buried many of his friends, and presented him with his stole when he became a priest.
Father Bill Atkinson had planned early to enter the priesthood. He went to an Augustinian high school and grew up in a working-class family.
He was a great athlete like his brother, who was on his way to the NFL.
Right out of high school, he began his journey to become a priest.
Then, on Feb. 22, 1965, while still only 18, Bill Atkinson’s toboggan slammed into a tree, severing his spine and forever changing his life.
He opted to continue his journey toward the priesthood, depending on many others to help him get through the day, including family, students, and, later, his Augustinian brothers.
He became the first quadriplegic priest in the Catholic Church in 1974 and passed away on Sept. 15, 2006. His remains have been moved to the chapel at Villanova University as the Vatican reviews his case for sainthood.
“Quite frankly, the Augustinians who knew him, his family, we don’t need him to be canonized.
“But what about people 50, 75, or 100 years from now, who are struggling, trying to overcome some problem in their life, who are tempted to give up, God willing? Most of us won’t wind up in a wheelchair, but we all get paralyzed,” with fear and indecision, Rev. Hagan said.
He said people continue to report intercessions from Father Atkinson.
Three miracles connected to Atkinson are being investigated, including one from a Havertown mom whose cancer suddenly disappeared.
Hear the entire podcast with Rev. Rob Hagan and find out more about the life and impact of Father Bill Atkinson at American Magazine.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in January 2026.
