“As a Jesuit, I have been invited into a relationship with God who is intimately involved in my life and who communicates with me in loving ways. I have become more attuned to the ways that God’s grace is forming me through the experiences and people in my life. Now my desire is to be with God and to respond to the ways that the Holy Spirit is moving in my heart.”
Will teach at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep in Chicago.
Jack McLinden, SJ, was born in Cleveland and grew up attending St. Malachi Parish and Urban Community School. He met the Jesuits as a student at Saint Ignatius High School where he was formed in a “faith that does justice.” Jack began to consider a vocation to be a Jesuit priest in the summer between high school and college. Throughout his years at Bucknell University, where he studied religious studies and classics, Jack continued to discern his calling. During a summer immersion in Jesuit life at Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario, before his senior year, he began the application process and was accepted to enter the novitiate in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2014.
Jack’s years of formation as a Jesuit have been an experience of God’s grace working in his life. During his philosophy studies at Saint Louis University, Jack also pursued a master’s degree in women’s and gender studies and taught a few classes in his final year. He was also formed through his involvement at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in North St. Louis and ministry at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis, Illinois. Jack was missioned to Loyola High School in Detroit for regency, where he taught theology, worked as a campus minister and coached baseball. He also sang in the choir at Sacred Heart Parish. During regency he began a Master of Theology program at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana.
He was missioned to the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University for theology studies, where he did field education with Faith in Action East Bay, studied for one semester at Hekima University College in Nairobi, Kenya, and served as a deacon at St. Benedict Parish and Divine Mercy Parish in Oakland. After ordination, Jack will work on the religious studies faculty and in Adult Faith Formation at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep in Chicago.
Bachelor’s degree, religious studies and classics, Bucknell University; Master’s degree, women’s and gender studies, Saint Louis University; Master of Divinity, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University; Master’s degree, theology, Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana
One of my favorite saints is St. Veronica who wiped the face of Jesus. Her simple act of mercy toward Jesus in the midst of a crowd was deeply moving for me as a novice while making the Spiritual Exercises. These days I am inspired by her tenderness, her courage and even boldness, and her care for the suffering Christ. The rector in first studies composed this simple prayer: St. Veronica, comforter of the crucified, pray for us!
A novitiate knee injury has given me the opportunity to cultivate the hobby of cycling. Taking a bike ride whether alone or with friends has been a great way to explore the various places I’ve lived as a Jesuit or deepen friendships through a biking adventure. It’s also an important mode of exercise for me and a good means of transportation. I also enjoy riding indoors to avoid icy roads in the winter!
My spirituality has changed since entering the Jesuits because my relationship with God has become deeper and more personal. Before becoming a Jesuit, I was focused on what I had to do for God. But as a Jesuit, I have been invited into a relationship with God who is intimately involved in my life and who communicates with me in loving ways. I have become more attuned to the ways that God’s grace is forming me through the experiences and people in my life. Now my desire is to be with God and to respond to the ways that the Holy Spirit is moving in my heart.
I have found that a full day of Jesuit life with four important elements brings me joy. The first element is daily prayer, which roots my day in God’s presence and love. The second is some kind of physical exercise, which helps me to have a good balance physically, mentally and emotionally. The third element is meaningful work, which gives me great joy because it allows me to serve the mission. Finally, my day is complete with good social time, whether with Jesuits or other friends. Days which are full and which have these four elements give me joy as a Jesuit!
