Rev. John R. d’Anjou, SJ, was born on October 13, 1941, in Biddeford, ME. He attended Cheverus High School in Portland, ME, and entered the Society of Jesus at Shadowbrook in Lenox, MA, in 1959. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Weston College in Weston, MA, and a licentiate in sacred theology from Weston College School of Theology in Cambridge, MA. He also earned an M.S. in Broadcasting from Boston University. He was ordained a priest on May 27, 1972, at St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill, MA.
Following ordination Fr. d’Anjou taught Religion for nine years at Boston College High School, most of that time serving as the department chairman. He then served another six years at the school in campus ministry. In 1989, he began a 12 year tenure at the Jesuit Urban Center in Boston, directing the New England Province’s video communications, while also serving in pastoral ministry at neighboring Church of the Immaculate Conception. He also served another year as minister at Boston College High School.
In 2001, Fr. d’Anjou became a Parochial Vicar for 19 years, first at Saints Peter & Paul Church in Norwich, CT, for seven years, then at St. Pius X & St. Patrick Parishes in Portland, ME, for three years, and finally at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Portland, ME, for nine years. In 2020, he continued serving as a senior priest there. During his time of service, he received the award of Knights of Columbus Chaplain of the Year for the State of Maine.
Known best as “Fr. Jack,” he is remembered as a kind and gentle Jesuit who always had a good story to tell. Fr. d’Anjou was called home to the Lord on May 31, 2024, still a member of the St. Ignatius Residence in Portland and still serving at Our Lady of Hope Parish.
