Msgr. John C. Cregan, former pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria, was awarded the Academic Circle of Excellence at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., March 24. 

The award recognizes distinguished alumni who are leaders in their communities or in their chosen profession. 

Msgr. Andrew R. Baker, rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, said Msgr. Cregan is an outstanding example of what it means to be a priest. “In his years of service in the Diocese of Arlington, he worked tirelessly to bring others to Christ and His Church,” said Msgr. Baker. “He was a popular and well-known pastor and seen by the clergy as a ‘priest’s priest.’ He continues to serve as an adjunct spiritual director for the seminarians at the Mount and does so with great enthusiasm, wisdom and distinction.”

The award came as a surprise to Msgr. Cregan who said he was honored. “Mount St. Mary’s is a very special place to me. I call it the happiest day of my life the day I went to the Mount,” he said. “I was still in the Marine Corps, spent the day there but knew that evening beyond a shadow of a doubt I would be there by the end of the year. I felt incredibly joyful driving back to Virginia. Every day (after) was joyful.”