John E. Hatcher, SJ

John E. Hatcher, SJ

Wonderful. Better: “wonder filled.” These 50 years in the Society have been simultaneously a puzzle and high adventure. More than once I stayed in the
Society because I publicly took vows and through them promised to live my life as a Jesuit come what may. Yet, most of my life in active service to others has been, and continues to be, exhilarating.

As a child I wanted to be a priest and contact with Jesuits at the Jesuit High School in Tampa attracted me to the Society. As a 17- year-old I didn’t have a clue where this adventure would lead me. But with the help of many patient Jesuits, I took vows and became a priest and was sent to work with Native American people—a challenging and rewarding assignment I never could have dreamed of in the early years.

From the vantage point of 50 years, the pieces of the puzzle, while not complete, begin to make sense. Jesus has done and is doing what he wants with me, and he is doing it not because of me, but because people need him. I am just an instrument with which Jesus responds to people who, being desperate and forgotten, cry out for his help. The fact that he chose me is both exhilarating and puzzling—the wonder of it is that he got/gets anything done at all.

I am very grateful to my brothers in the Society and to the many people who have prayed and are praying for me to persevere.

BORN: August 31, 1943
ENTERED: July 30, 1961
ORDAINED: June 8, 1974
RESIDES: Kino Jesuit Community, St. Francis, SD

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