Brendan D. Towell is a Catholic educator, writer, and mission-focused leader with particular expertise in secondary education. He currently serves as Director of Spirituality & Mission for the Secondary Schools & Schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is the founder of Brendan D. Towell LLC, through which he is developing independent work in formation, organizational mission and culture, speaking, and consulting. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his family.
Brendan’s academic and professional interests center on Augustinian Studies, Ressourcement Theology, the thought of Pope Benedict XVI, and the relationship between faith, culture, memory, and the formation of the human person. His writing on Catholic education, theology, and culture has appeared in national and international publications, and he has been cited in numerous works related to the early days of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy.
Across his work, Brendan brings together theological study and years of practical experience in Catholic education, with a particular interest in formation, institutional culture, mission-driven leadership, and the relationship between an organization’s stated identity and the lived experience of its people. This work has increasingly included the development of original frameworks and methodologies designed to help institutions better understand, strengthen, and live their mission.
Brendan’s academic and professional interests center on Augustinian Studies, Ressourcement Theology, the thought of Pope Benedict XVI, and the relationship between faith, culture, memory, and the formation of the human person. His writing on Catholic education, theology, and culture has appeared in national and international publications, and he has been cited in numerous works related to the early days of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy.
Across his work, Brendan brings together theological study and years of practical experience in Catholic education, with a particular interest in formation, institutional culture, mission-driven leadership, and the relationship between an organization’s stated identity and the lived experience of its people. This work has increasingly included the development of original frameworks and methodologies designed to help institutions better understand, strengthen, and live their mission.
- More than two decades of experience across Catholic education, Religious & Theological Studies, Enrollment Management, Alumni Relations, and Mission & Ministry.
- Director of Spirituality & Mission for the Secondary Schools & Schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, supporting mission and Catholic identity across a diverse system of schools.
- Founder of Brendan D. Towell LLC, advancing independent work in formation, organizational mission and culture, writing, speaking, and the development of original frameworks and methodologies.
- Advisory Committee Member for the John Cardinal Foley Chair of Homiletics & Social Communications at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (Philadelphia).
- Regular Contributor to the National Catholic Register and other domestic and international Catholic publications, including his own Substack Page (@brendantowell).
- International Trip Coordinator with DMAC Trips LLC, leading educational and pilgrimage travel abroad.
- Ten-Time State Championship Rugby Coach, committed to forming character through sport.
A PASSION PROJECT - The Stories We Wear
Over the past year, what began as a growing appreciation for the world of watches has led me somewhere I never expected - not to a deeper fascination with watches themselves, but with the people who wear them.
Again and again, I discovered that every meaningful watch has a story. Some commemorate life's greatest joys. Others carry memories of loss, sacrifice, faith, family, or second chances.
The Stories We Wear is an ongoing project dedicated to preserving those stories. Not because of what a watch is worth, but because of what it has witnessed.
Every watch tells two stories: the one everyone sees, and the one almost no one knows.
Explore the project HERE.
Over the past year, what began as a growing appreciation for the world of watches has led me somewhere I never expected - not to a deeper fascination with watches themselves, but with the people who wear them.
Again and again, I discovered that every meaningful watch has a story. Some commemorate life's greatest joys. Others carry memories of loss, sacrifice, faith, family, or second chances.
The Stories We Wear is an ongoing project dedicated to preserving those stories. Not because of what a watch is worth, but because of what it has witnessed.
Every watch tells two stories: the one everyone sees, and the one almost no one knows.
Explore the project HERE.
Keynote Presentation below, entitled "Unity Through Ordered Communion: Pope Leo XIV’s Augustinian Vision for the Church"
(2025 Cardinals' Forum at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary)
Full event video HERE.
(2025 Cardinals' Forum at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary)
Full event video HERE.
"I have never found an individual that compares to Brendan Towell. His devotion to his faith is unmatched, yet not imposing onto others. His knowledge and passion for Catholic Education is nothing short of impressive!"
~ William E. Brannick
Superintendent of Secondary Schools & Schools of Special Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
(Philadelphia, PA)
~ William E. Brannick
Superintendent of Secondary Schools & Schools of Special Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
(Philadelphia, PA)
"Brendan is interested in pedagogical innovation and creativity, always in service of the goal of conveying the perennial tradition of the Catholic faith to more and more complicated adolescent learners."
~ Rev. Bryan Kerns, O.S.A.
Chief of Staff & Professor, Merrimack College
(N. Andover, MA)
~ Rev. Bryan Kerns, O.S.A.
Chief of Staff & Professor, Merrimack College
(N. Andover, MA)
"Brendan Towell is a gift to Catholic education!
With nearly two decades of service in Catholic schools, Brendan brings a rare blend of theological insight, pastoral sensitivity, & educational expertise.
Whether he is teaching in the classroom, mentoring young men, writing with clarity and conviction, or speaking to broader audiences, Brendan consistently exemplifies the heart of a Catholic educator—one who forms minds, inspires hearts, and leads with both compassion & conviction.
~ James Horne
Principal, St. Augustine High School
(San Diego, CA)
With nearly two decades of service in Catholic schools, Brendan brings a rare blend of theological insight, pastoral sensitivity, & educational expertise.
Whether he is teaching in the classroom, mentoring young men, writing with clarity and conviction, or speaking to broader audiences, Brendan consistently exemplifies the heart of a Catholic educator—one who forms minds, inspires hearts, and leads with both compassion & conviction.
~ James Horne
Principal, St. Augustine High School
(San Diego, CA)
"Brendan's devotion to his faith is unmatched, yet he never imposes it on others; instead, he leads by example and invites people in. His knowledge of Catholic education is matched only by his passion for it, and both shine through in every conversation with him."
~ Mrs. Brooke A Coyle
Head of School, Our Lady of Mercy Academy
(Newfield, NJ)
~ Mrs. Brooke A Coyle
Head of School, Our Lady of Mercy Academy
(Newfield, NJ)
© 2026 Brendan D. Towell LLC