Celebrating the 2023 Jubilarians

Surprising!

By Fr. John Fitzgibbons, SJ

or should I say, “Wonderfully Surprising,” or “Graciously Surprising”? It was early in the morning on a very cold January day in 1973 when I mentioned to my parents that I wanted to apply to the Society of Jesus. They were, truth to tell, surprised. It was the first they heard of my desire, as I was happily getting ready for college.

I entered on August 15, 1973, and life became a welcome, gracious school of prayer and ministry. Teaching catechism to elementary students while taking college courses, being immersed in the Spiritual Exercises and accompanying farm workers in rural Wisconsin challenged and delighted me.

First studies at Saint Louis University nurtured and strengthened my heart and my intellect. The first year of regency at the University of Chicago taught me how to study at a new level, and that the intellectual life was worthy. While not a Regency “widow,” I took to studies again at the Weston School of Theology with passion and a desire to learn to serve as a Jesuit priest. Our faculty was the best I have ever encountered: Fathers John O’Malley, Howard Gray, Brian McDermott, Brian Daley, Daniel Harrington, Richard Clifford, and many others including Sister Katarina Schuth, OSF, and Dr. Francine Cardman. The gift of priestly ordination brought me to a new place, a place of intense desire to be of “use” and not be deaf to the Lord’s call.

Assigned to Marquette University’s McCormick Hall for freshman men, I was privileged to listen to and counsel many young men and women; also many marriages and a string of vocations of young men to the Society of Jesus began in this time. Teaching English literature to undergraduates and regularly concelebrating at Mass with Fr. John Naus, SJ, taught me more about priestly ministry than my beloved four years of academic theology. When my provincial asked me to consider going on to do a doctorate in moral theology, I was surprised. I was even more surprised by the response I offered. I replied that I loved studying moral theology but that I believed I would get more Christian values, more moral thought across to undergraduates if I taught English literature. He replied by saying, “John, that’s the most Jesuit thing I’ve ever heard you say!” He sent me to doctoral studies in English. Now, I serve as chancellor and chief mission officer at the University of San Francisco after 10 years of ministry as president of Regis University in Denver. How did this high school English teacher become a professor and administrator? The only answer is surprising grace.

My life has been deeply blessed. The Lord has found me by the side of the road repeatedly and I am always surprised by His gracious invitations.

Thank you, Lord!

By Fr. Michael A. Vincent, SJ

A sentiment that might be common to all of us who are celebrating our 50th Anniversary of entrance to the Society is: “Where did all that time go?” Certainly, that’s the case for me.

God’s call to the Society for me was the example of my teachers at University of Detroit. Jesuit High School and Georgetown University. I admired the dedication and enthusiasm of Jesuits I knew, and I wanted to be part of that energy.

For years, that meant being a high school teacher, and I did that in three schools over the course of 29 years – U. of D. Jesuit, St. John’s Jesuit in Toledo, and Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland. In those schools I taught Latin, German, Theology, and English. I also had the opportunity to work with young people in the areas of Model United Nations, Student Government, Quiz Bowl, and – most often – yearbooks.

Just before my 60th birthday, I was offered the chance to become associate pastor at Church of the Gesu in University Heights. There was just a move across town from Saint Ignatius. This has been my second “career,” as it were, in the Society. The last almost 13 years have been a time of great joy and hope, working with people at both ordinary and very important moments of their lives with God and Christ. Thank you, Lord, for all of these experiences and joys!

The Gift of Availability

By Fr. Bill Verbryke, SJ

Are you sitting down?” These are the words of my formation director in a phone call informing me of my regency assignment. As we conversed, I recalled the promise I made to myself several years before as I knelt on the Colombiere Chapel floor awaiting my turn to pronounce my first vows, that I would always be generously available for whatever I was asked by the Society. Being assigned to “my” third choice gave me the opportunity to test that promise. In reward, the gifts I received in this assignment were immeasurable, life-long and God-given. And this has been consistent in all my assignments. I am truly blessed, truly grateful!

I am a high school person at heart, though I describe myself as a utility player. I have been blessed to serve in positions in the high school apostolate as well as in service of the province. Through all, I identify myself as “pastoral,” trying to bring to others what I have received from God, a sense of being loved and cared for, a sense of being forgiven, a sense of hope and peace. I am truly blessed, truly grateful!

In my fifty years in the Society of Jesus I have had wonderful Jesuit companions as friends, community members, colleagues and mentors; lay colleagues in ministry and shared leadership; students, directees, and parishioners with whom to live my Jesuit and priestly vocation; and family and friends to support me along the way. I am truly blessed, truly grateful!

Principle and Foundation, and My Brothers

By Fr. Robert Ytsen, SJ

Anyone who has spent any time with me knows that it doesn’t take long to make a connection to British literature or history and whatever topic that may have caught our attention. That certainly is the case with this reflection on fifty years in the Society. What else is new? I recently finished a fascinating nonfiction account, The Wager, of a squadron of British warships in the 18th century attempting to make its way around Cape Horn, a perilous undertaking. The surprise was how engrossed I was in the story, since this hasn’t been an area in British literature or history that has ever attracted me. I was pleasantly surprised. The result is, my reflection relies on a number of maritime metaphors that have shaped my response; thank you, David Grann.

My journey in the Society has relied on two sources of guidance: The Principle and Foundation, and my Jesuit brothers who “shipped out” with me at different ports of call. Of course, the anticipation, shared commitment, and camaraderie were palpable and supportive. The “seas” were familiar and navigable, even when a little rough. Naturally, we proceeded in different directions as we navigated to different destinations. And just like 18th century sailors, some of us had to navigate unfamiliar, rough, and potentially perilous seas.

During those times I was guided by the two sources of guidance identified above. Over the decades different Jesuit companions provided a “lighthouse” of support, challenge, courage, and safety to help me maneuver dangerous waters. When that “lighthouse” was not apparent, like the sailors, I looked to the “heavens.” I found spiritual support, challenge, courage, and safety. Like the sailors, I count on both.

Seemingly unnavigable seas reveal waterways that come into sight; it takes courage and faith to steer into the opening. The smooth sailing after the tumult allows me to be more keenly aware of upcoming life — navigating challenges.

What I have experienced and am genuinely grateful for are all the opportunities, insights, and parables of my life. I hope to continue to share my journey with whomever the Lord places in my path. Spiritual and human support are inseparable; one reveals the other. My desire is to be a source of both.

Men for Others

By Fr. Richie Salmi, SJ

It was the day after Easter in 1973 that Father General Pedro Arrupe appeared on the cover of Time magazine. It was also the day that I received my acceptance letter from the Detroit Province. I felt connected to Fr. Arrupe from the very beginning of my Jesuit life. It was Arrupe who coined the phrase “men (and women) for others.” Looking back at fifty years as a Jesuit, I like to think that I’ve done my best to be man for others.

Most of my time as a Jesuit has been spent in higher education, and I am grateful for the colleagues with whom I have worked and for so many who have become friends. It truly has been a blessing to be among so many wonderful people at John Carroll University, Boston College, Loyola University Chicago, Spring Hill College and Fordham University. Oh, the stories we could all tell!

It was in Cleveland that I began playing softball. I am so very thankful for the many men and women I had the pleasure to play with in more than 30 years of playing in Cleveland, Boston, Chicago and London (yes, they play softball in the UK). I’ve presided at more than a few softball weddings! It’s been a blessing to be able to minister to my teammates and their families.