Meissen, Randall
Randall Meissen
Adjunct Faculty | College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
University Chaplain & Director | Catholic Campus Ministry
Contact Information
Personal Overview
Father Randall Meissen, is a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Legionaries of Christ. He has worked in secondary and higher education in the U.S., Canada, Spain, and Italy. He received a BA in biology from Rice University, philosophy and theology degrees from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, and master’s degrees in Latin from the University of Florida and in history from the University of Southern California. His interests include religion, the history of science, and colonial Latin American history.
Educational Background
2017. Visual Studies Graduate Certificate, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
2016. M.A. in History, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
2014. Bachelors in Theology, summa cum laude, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy
2012. Masters in Latin, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2008. Bachelors in Philosophy, summa cum laude, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy
2006. Certificate in Classical Humanities, Legion of Christ College of Humanities, Cheshire, Connecticut
2003. B.A. in Biology and Classics, Rice University, Houston, Texas
Professional Experience
Nov. 2022-present. University Chaplain & Director of Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM), Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
2020-22 University Chaplain & Director of University Ministry, Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, FL
2019–20. Sacramental Associate, Our Savior Parish & USC Caruso Catholic Center, Los Angeles, CA
2016–20. Pastoral Associate, Saints Felicitas and Perpetua Church, San Marino, CA
Fall 2015. Teaching Assistant, “Science, Technology and Society” (Thematic Options honors program), University of Southern California
2012-14. Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome, Italy, Adjunct Professor of Latin
2010-11. Colegio Cumbres, Valencia, Spain, Instructor of Formation
2009-10. Legion of Christ College of Humanities, Cheshire, Connecticut, Instructor of Humanities
Current Courses
HUM 3521 World Religions (Spring 2024)
Selected Publications
Academic Publications
[In press]. “Contemplating Bats and Bees: Mayan Languages, Empiricism, and the Popol Vuh in Fray Francisco Ximénez's La Historia Natural del Reino de Guatemala (1722),” in The Dominicans: Participants, Witnesses, and Critics of the Colonization of Latin America. New York: Routledge.
2019. “Francisco Pacheco’s Book of True Portraits: Humanism, Art, and the Practice of ‘Visual History,’” Representations 145 (Winter 2019), p. 32–54. DOI: 10.1525/rep.2019.145.1.32
Pastoral Publications
2020. “Sunday Homilies for February 2020,” Homiletic & Pastoral Review (Jan. 2020), https://www.hprweb.com/2020/01/homilies-for-february-2020/
2012. Scholastic Latin: An Intermediate Course. Rome, Italy: Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. [a course textbook for classroom use]
2011. Living Miracles: The Spiritual Sons of John Paul the Great. Alpharetta, GA: Mission Network.
Recognition & Awards
Professional Awards
Awarded the “2021-22 Lonzo Helton Award” by Saint Leo University Student Government Union for "demonstrating passionate service, true pride, and outstanding dedication to the values of Saint Leo University."
Academic Fellowships
2019 NEH Research Fellowship, The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Saint Louis University (short-term)
2018 Gulbenkian Foundation Fellowship, John Carter Brown Library (short-term)
2017 Dibner Research Fellowship in the History of Science and Technology, The Huntington Library (short-term)
2016–17 Mellon Sawyer Graduate Fellow, Visual Studies Research Institute, USC (long-term)
2014–15 Del Amo Graduate Student Fellowship, USC (long-term)
September 2013 John D. and Rose H. Jackson Fellowship, Beinecke Library, Yale (short-term)