Fr. Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ
Entered the Society of Jesus: 2016
As a Jesuit: Father Saint-Jean taught pastoral theology and spiritual psychology at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., and psychology at Creighton University in Omaha, and the University of San Francisco.
Assignment Following Ordination: Father Saint-Jean will continue working at the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Expression of Gratitude and Inspiration: In a letter dated March 18, 1542, Saint Ignatius of Loyola wrote “the most abominable sin is ingratitude.” Those words move me deeply because they remind me how much of my life and vocation has been shaped not by my efforts alone, but by the countless gifts God has poured into my life through the people He lovingly placed along my path. My heart overflows with gratitude. It truly takes a village to form a Jesuit—a village of family, friends, benefactors, mentors, companions, teachers, parishioners and more. From the depths of my heart, I thank you. You are among the many angels God has sent into my life—people who have strengthened me with your prayers, encouraged me with your words, supported me with your generosity, challenged me to grow, and accompanied me with steadfast love.
Gratitude is the sacred force that keeps the village of Jesuit formation alive. It is the hidden fire that sustains vocations, the grace that turns sacrifice into joy, and the bond that reminds us we belong to one another in Christ. Every prayer offered, every dollar given, every conversation shared, every act of patience, every word of encouragement, every gesture of trust has helped shape the priest I am today. Thank you for believing in God’s call when the road was long and the future uncertain. Thank you for helping me become, in the words of St. Paul the Apostle, “all things for all people.” My priestly ordination is not mine alone. You have a place at this altar. You are written into every prayer I will offer, every sacrament I will celebrate and every act of service I will render. My priesthood will bear the fingerprints of your generosity and love.
I must acknowledge the vital support of Jesuit Frs. Daniel Hendrickson, Joseph Brown, Charlie Rodrigues and Timothy Lannon; Br. Ralph Cordero, SJ; Bishop Joseph Gontrand J. Décost, SJ; Dr. Maryelle Vonlanthen, MD; Georgina Gutierrez; and Fr. Antonio Mondésir, CICM. They are a few of the many whom God has placed as the yeast in the dough of my priestly vocation; thank you.
