From the Chief's Mess to Chalco: What a Navy Veteran Found at the End of a Pilgrimage

A Family Built on Service

I grew up in California as the youngest in a family of four. Although my family was not churchgoing, service to others was heavily emphasized — especially military service. My parents stressed the value of hard work, discipline, and obedience to authority, and so I was drawn to military service.

I was fortunate to receive appointments to both the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and chose the Naval Academy based on the advice of my high school coach. It wasn't always easy — I struggled with below-average but passing grades — however there were a few bright spots that shaped me: I started to attend church regularly, I made several true, lifelong friends, I was able to compete as a Division I wrestler, and I met a wonderful girl who would later become my wife, Mary.

The Finest People I Have Ever Known

One of the greatest honors I had in the Navy was to serve alongside America's finest: the enlisted Sailor and the Chief Petty Officer. These young individuals reflected a cross-section of America — many come from lower-income backgrounds and lack the privileges that I and most others enjoyed growing up. Many are either first-generation Americans, recent immigrants, or come from fatherless homes. They respond to discipline, hard work, and high standards. They handle the unglamorous tasks because they must be done — and done correctly, under the leadership of the Chief's Mess.

What a Chief Is, and Why It Matters

The Chief has a special place in our Navy. These individuals work their way up the ranks through hard work and servant leadership. Once they enter the Mess, they become seasoned leaders with two primary responsibilities: leading the junior enlisted and training junior officers to become competent leaders. A wise junior officer listens to their Chief — and, by God's grace, I was one of them.

A New Season: Faith, Family, and the Open Road

I retired from the Navy in the fall of 2021. In addition to spending more time with my family, I have been able to deepen my Catholic faith and serve the Church as a volunteer. Over the past five years I have visited Fátima, walked the Camino, and made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Arriving at Chalco With High Hopes

While in Mexico City, I was fortunate to visit Girlstown in Chalco, run by the Sisters of Mary. Having read Priest and Beggar — the story of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, who founded the Sisters of Mary — I arrived with high hopes.

The experience surpassed all of them.

More Joyous Than I Could Have Imagined

Chalco was more joyous than I could have imagined, and the Sisters of Mary are true servant leaders. They treat the 3,000 girls in their care — the poorest of the poor — with dignity and respect. As spiritual mothers, they hold the girls to a high standard, practice discipline, and love always, even when tough love is necessary. Catholic education has always fit well with military service, and the education these girls receive from the Sisters of Mary is authentically Catholic.

A Mission Built on Standards and Love

Each spring the Sisters of Mary recruit candidates. Applicants take an entrance exam and interview, but limited capacity means many qualified children cannot be accepted. Selected children need not be Catholic or convert, but must attend Mass and complete a rigorous academic, physical, moral, and religious program. Nearly all students graduate as practicing Catholics and leave as leaders in their communities and model citizens.

This pilgrimage stirred not just emotion but a deep calling to support their mission. They have restored dignity and purpose to over 180,000 graduates — a profound gift from God.

The Connection I Never Expected to Find

The parallels between the Sisters of Mary and a well-run Chief's Mess are striking: both uphold high standards, require discipline, lead by example, practice servant leadership, and are driven by a true love of neighbor.

I now see why I stayed in the Navy. I desired to serve alongside people just like them.

Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis, USN (Ret.), is a distinguished naval leader who served as Commander of the U.S. Second Fleet and NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk. A 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he earned his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1987 and went on to command at every level of naval aviation and fleet operations, including Carrier Strike Group 12, Carrier Air Wing Three, and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center.
During his 36-year Navy career, Admiral Lewis flew more than 100 combat missions and accumulated over 5,300 flight hours. He also served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy and played a key role in the reestablishment of the U.S. Second Fleet in 2018. His numerous military decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal.
Admiral Lewis holds a master's degree in military history from the University of Alabama and remains a respected voice on leadership, national security, and strategic planning.