U.S. Spiritans Elect New Provincial

Members of the U.S. province of Duquesne University’s founders, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), have elected the Rev. Donald J. McEachin, C.S.Sp., as their new provincial for a term of three years, effective Nov. 15, 2021.

The Rev. Donald J. McEachin, C.S.Sp.,
The Rev. Donald J. McEachin, C.S.Sp.

McEachin will succeed the Rev. Jeffrey T. Duaime, C.S.Sp., who has been provincial since 2012. The election took place in conjunction with the U.S. Province General Assembly meeting, which was held on campus in June.

“Regarding my election, I am aware of what a huge accomplishment the last years have been for the province leadership,” McEachin said.

Among the order’s accomplishments, McEachin noted:

  • The creation and further strengthening of Spiritan international communities in ministries in the United States that reflect the congregation’s charism and pastoral priorities in working with marginalized populations
  • Strengthening the Spiritans’ collaboration with laity and inviting their participation in our life and ministry
  • Working closely with the congregation’s educational works, in particular Duquesne University and Holy Ghost Prep, to promote their mission as Catholic and Spiritan institutions.

“What Fr. Jeff Duaime and his Provincial Council and our many collaborators have accomplished in spite of the challenges has positioned us well for the future,” McEachin said. “I am more than a little awed by the task of carrying it forward, but it is a worthy endeavor, and I find myself inspired and energized, confident that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us to be faithful to our mission in the world today.”

A native of Saginaw, Mich., McEachin graduated from Duquesne University with a B.A. in 1975. He earned an M. Div. degree in 1981 from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Ill., and received a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1999.

McEachin was ordained to the priesthood in 1981 and worked in the missions of Kilimanjaro for five years. He then returned to Duquesne University and served as director for the pre-novitiate program at Laval House, campus chaplain and director of Spiritan campus ministry.

In his work as Duquesne’s chaplain and with campus ministry, McEachin set an example of community involvement for students and worked to spread awareness of the systemic challenges in health, education, legal access and economic development. He began what has become a traditional, annual campus ministry mission experience in Immokalee, Fla., where students spend their spring break learning about and working with migrant workers who harvest crops there.

In 1991, McEachin was elected treasurer of the U.S. Eastern Province and served as a member of Provincial Council in 1997 until he was elected Provincial of the U.S. Eastern Province in 2000, serving a three-year term.

The Rev. Donald J. McEachin, C.S.Sp., doing mission work
The Rev. Donald J. McEachin, C.S.Sp., with local school children in the Dominican Republic.

In 2004, McEachin established a new mission in San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic, where he has served for the past 17 years.

“As a Spiritan and proud Duquesne alum, I marvel at all that has happened–and will be happening–at Duquesne,” McEachin said. “It is a reflection of years of strong and dedicated leadership with a vision. I look forward to collaborating fully with the University administration and board of directors in carrying the vision forward.”

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit, which was founded in France in 1703, founded Duquesne University in 1878 as Pittsburgh Catholic College. In 2022, the U.S. Province will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Spiritan Province in the United States. Led by the Spirit where the need is greatest, Spiritans currently serve in parish ministry in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia.