Fr. Nicholas A. Albin, SJ

• Born: November 4, 1989

• Entered Society: August 25, 2012

• As a Jesuit: Father Albin served as a deacon at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, a Franciscan church in Boston’s North End neighborhood; taught theology and mathematics at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and led high school students in academic summer immersions to the Ignatian sites in Spain, France and Italy.

• Assignment Following Ordination: Father Albin will serve as assistant to the president for mission at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska, while pursuing graduate studies at Creighton University in educational leadership and Ignatian spirituality.

A pleasant surprise in my Jesuit formation was serving as a high school teacher in my regency—a job I never imagined myself doing when I entered the Society of Jesus. However, to my complete surprise, I fell in love with it. The students were wonderful, and I had excellent colleagues. For three years, I taught sophomore theology (ecclesiology) and algebra I to first-year students. I also loved serving as the moderator for student government, where I helped the students with hosting events to boost school spirit, creating fundraising and service opportunities for the local community, and planning school dances. I was the one tasked with teaching the students about theology and mathematics, but they were the ones teaching me how to be a Jesuit priest.

While I have had many mentors in my journey, one mentor who stands out for me is Fr. Cyril Whitaker, SJ, who I had as a philosophy professor during my junior year at Xavier University. One day, I emailed him my assignment on Descartes, and he replied back in an email: “Thank you for your paper, Nick. By the way, have you ever thought about becoming a Jesuit priest?” It was his question that inspired me to begin my discernment— which led me to go on retreats, attend spiritual direction and pray with St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises—ultimately leading me to enter the Society of Jesus. His desire to bring people closer to Christ and his care for those he ministers to and with continue to serve as a positive example which I desire to follow in the Jesuit priest I hope to become.

Large photo by: Steve Donisch
Inset photo by: Steve Donisch