“Daily, I pray to God to help me to not attract people to my fame or glory, but to bring them closer to God’s love and mercy.” – Fr. Chris Kellerman
Earlier this year, four Jesuit priests were assigned to serve at Jesuit Dallas. Their service comes through celebrating Masses, hosting vocation talks, hearing confessions, etc. So, I conducted an interview with Fr. Chris Kellerman, SJ, one of the Jesuit priests assigned to our school.
What was your childhood like? Where did you grow up?
“I was born in Arlington, TX in a well-established Catholic family. During my childhood, I grew up Catholic and went to Mass just like any other Catholic. But, I never thought of the priesthood and did not reflect much on it. Once, I remembered thinking about the priesthood for five minutes and that was it. I was not really interested in the idea of priesthood.”
How did your education influence your decision to become a priest?
“In 2004, I graduated from Lamar High School and attended Texas Tech University. At Texas Tech, I had friends who told me that I should consider becoming a priest. So, I finally started to think and pray more about it.
Then, in 2009, I attended the University of Dallas (UD) to earn a master’s degree in theology. At the University of Dallas, I embarked on a retreat to discern and pray about the life of the priesthood. After this retreat, I felt that I have been called by God to pursue the path of priesthood and applied to become a Jesuit.
In addition, at UD, students would always have spiritual directors such as priests, nuns, and laypersons. Specifically, spiritual directors would talk to their assigned students about prayer, their relationship with God, etc. Knowing this, I started to make frequent trips to Montserrat Retreat House in Lake Dallas. At Montserrat, I met with a spiritual director who really helped me discern my calling and how to answer it in a meaningful way. “
Where did you find your source of inspiration as you became a Jesuit?
“Honesty, my source of inspiration was through reading. Specifically, I read many books written by St. Ignatius and other Jesuits. While I was studying theology at UD, I had to read several books written by prominent Jesuit theologians. Through reading, I was learning more about the Jesuits’ history, purpose, and way of life. Overall, this gave me a strong conviction to serve society as a Jesuit.”
What was your calling to the priesthood like? How did you pray?
“While I studied at UD for two years, I prayed about the priesthood all the time. During my prayers, I would ask God to increase my desire to be a Jesuit if that was my call. Also, I asked him to take away my attractions to materialistic things. But, if God did not want me to be a Jesuit, I wanted God to slam the door in my face and show me a different path. However, during my prayers, my desire kept on increasing.”
Once ordained as a Jesuit priest, how was your formation?
“I entered the Jesuit novitiate in 2011. I spent my first two years of formation in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. During those two years, I embarked on many trips. First, I embarked for Nicaragua to stay there for six weeks. In Nicaragua, I lived with a host family and helped serve the community there. Then, I traveled to Belize for three months and taught at a Jesuit school there.
During these years of formation, I went on a 30-day retreat. During this time, we had many times of silent reflection, meditation on the Spiritual Exercises, and a special Jesuit pilgrimage. Prior to the pilgrimage, novices were given $35 and a one-way bus ticket to somewhere in the US. While moving from place to place, we had to beg and rely on the goodwill of strangers.”
How were your latter years of formation?
“In 2013, after two years of novitiate formation, I took my vows. These perpetual vows were poverty, chastity, and obedience. Then, I spent two years studying philosophy in St. Louis. Also, I taught at St. Louis University High School. Furthermore, I took my regency at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. At Regis, in addition to teaching, I was the chaplain of the baseball team and moderator of several clubs. Finally, to cap off my education and teaching years, I studied for another two years of theology at the University of Toronto.
After my extensive work in education and teaching, I was ordained a deacon. After my ordination, I was sent to New Orleans to serve for two years. In New Orleans, I worked at the Jesuit Social Research Institute (JRSI), a small social justice organization. In addition, I worked at a Jesuit parish in Baton Rouge. In 2017, by the end of the two-year term, I was ordained a Jesuit priest.”
As a Jesuit priest, what do the mottos “Men for Others” and “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (AMDG) or “For the greater glory of God” mean to you?
“The idea of being a man for others indicates that a Jesuit priest’s life is not his own. This life occurs through being dedicated to God and other people. For instance, my dream job would have been a play-by-by MLB commentator. Also, for my dream vacation or retirement, I would love to live on a desert island somewhere in the Pacific. However, I realize that this was not my call. Instead, God called me to live a life of service devoted to society.
Regarding AMDJ, I believe that this motto means that my actions must bring other people closer to God. Daily, I pray to God to help me to not attract people to my fame or glory, but to bring them closer to God’s love and mercy.”
After many years of service, who introduced you to Jesuit Dallas? What made you come to serve in this area?
“Well, I actually have a full-time job outside of Jesuit Dallas. I work remotely for the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province in St. Louis. Currently, I am working in the justice and ecology department as a social justice advocate.
One day, my provincial superior asked me if I could go and work at Jesuit Dallas and help in celebrating Masses, hearing confessions, etc. I really loved this idea because I have family members in Arlington and Grapevine. Also, I had many friends who worked at Jesuit. Overall, I thought this was a great idea for me to return to Texas and work at this school that I have heard so much about.”
What have you liked most about Jesuit Dallas?
“Well, I really enjoy morning Masses for faculty members and students. In my opinion, I think that prayer and reflection with the Eucharist is a beautiful thing. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to know many teachers and a number of students. Also, I will be helping out with a senior Kairos retreat, and I believe that this will be a great time for me to meet and build relationships with more students. In the end, I hope to continue to wholly live out my journey as a Jesuit priest through prayer, friendships, and service.”
“In general, I believe that building friendships with others while being a priest has been a phenomenal experience for me.” – Fr. Chris Kellerman
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