Dec. 9, 2025 – With 2025 drawing to a close, we are revisiting some of the most significant stories from the last twelve months. This past year was filled with both sorrow and joy. In our province, and throughout the world, we mourned the passing of Pope Francis, our first Jesuit pope, but celebrated the election of his successor, the American Pope, Leo XIV. In the province, we completed significant solar power projects, oversaw an art contest with Jesuit high school students, and led a pilgrimage to Rome with donors. And we also celebrated new Jesuit priests and novices professing first vows.
Mourning the Loss and Celebrating the Life of Pope Francis
We were deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. The first Jesuit to become pope was a man of patience, kindness and hope. Throughout that week, several Jesuits from our province offered media reflections on the profound impact Pope Francis had on the Church, their vocations, and their ministries. We also revisited a 2015 JESUITS magazine article on the Francis Effect during his visit to the United States, including our province.
East Coast Jesuits Reflect on Pope Leo XIV
The election of any new pope is reason for all Catholics to celebrate. The May 8th election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to the papacy was especially historic because he is the first American to lead the Church. We have collected interviews with Jesuits in our province discussing the significance of Pope Leo XIV, the 266th successor to Saint Peter.
Celebrating New Jesuit Priests
On June 14, 2025, five USA East Jesuits were ordained to the priesthood at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City. Pictured above are Jesuit Frs. Douglas Jones, Melvin Rayappa, Joseph O’Keefe, Joseph Lorenz, Kieran Halloran, and Jonathan Pennacchia.
On June 26, 2025, Dickson Tiwellfil, SJ, was ordained to the priesthood in Yap, Micronesia, by ordaining Bishop Julio Angkel, Bishop of the Diocese of the Caroline Islands. Dickson was blessed to have his brother Jesuits from Micronesia with him and others who made the long journey to help celebrate. He is pictured above with Fr. Provincial Joseph O’Keefe, SJ.
Men in Formation Discuss Facing Race with Author Fr. Roger Haight, SJ
This past June, the province released a video featuring the late theologian Fr. Roger Haight, SJ, discussing his book Facing Race: The Gospel in an Ignatian Key, along with a second video highlighting reflections from Jesuits in formation who took part in a book club centered on his work. Fr. Haight passed away on Juneteenth. We hope these conversations offer inspiration and topics to reflect on. View both videos here.
Three Novices Profess First Vows
Three USA East Jesuits Michael Audet, SJ, Fr. Garrett Ahlers, SJ, and Rajae Clarke, SJ, professed their First Vows in the Society of Jesus on August 9, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, N.Y. Please keep these men of faith in your prayers as they continue their formation journey. Pictured above following Mass are Michael Audet, SJ, Fr. Garrett Ahlers, SJ, and Rajae Clarke, SJ.
Jesuits USA East Completes Two Solar Energy Projects
Over the summer, the province completed two solar-energy installations, one at Colombiere Jesuit Community in Baltimore and another at Loyola on the Potomac Jesuit Retreat House in Faulkner, Maryland, in partnership with Catholic Energies. Together, the systems are expected to generate over 520,000 kWh annually and offset roughly 356 tons of carbon dioxide each year, advancing the province’s commitment to ecological justice. These projects reflect a concrete effort to live out the Universal Apostolic Preference to care for creation by reducing fossil-fuel reliance.
Regis High School Student Wins Province Art Contest Honoring Jesuit-Educated Saints
Kieran Fitzpatrick, a sophomore at Regis High School in New York City, won first place in the province-sponsored “Saints in the Making” art contest. The contest asked students to create works honoring newly canonized Jesuit-educated saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. His artwork earned a $250 prize and was featured on a prayer card distributed across Jesuit schools in the province — every Regis student received one during their Mass of the Holy Spirit in September.
The 2025 Friends of the Jesuits Golf Outing: A Winning Day
On September 22, 2025, more than 100 golfers and supporters gathered at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY for the 2025 Friends of the Jesuits Golf Outing: The Keenan, in memory of James F. Keenan, SJ. For the past 17 years, the Friends of the Jesuits Golf Outing has raised funds to support men in formation and the care of our senior Jesuits. These events have collectively raised more than $4 million over the years. In addition to a great day of golf, the event featured a silent and live auction, along with an evening reception that fostered connections among attendees.
Pope Leo Addresses the Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus
This past October, there was a meeting of Jesuit Major Superiors in Rome, which included USA East Provincial Fr. Joseph O’Keefe, SJ. Pope Leo XIV addressed the congregation, urging them to remain faithful to their missionary tradition of discernment and service at the frontiers of culture, faith, and human need. He encouraged the Society “to discern new ways of living out your mission in today’s world.” Fr. O’Keefe led the morning prayer on day two of the Jesuit Major Superiors meeting. The prayer focused on “collaboration,” which is such an important issue for Jesuits and lay colleagues as the Society of Jesus looks to the future.
A Pilgrimage to the Eternal City
From October 14 to 21, 2025, the USA East Province of Jesuits led a weeklong pilgrimage to Rome in celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope. The trip was organized by the province’s Office of Advancement and guided by the spiritual direction of Fr. Brendan Lally, SJ, and Fr. Philip Florio, SJ, along with Kathleen Margay, the province’s Major Gifts Officer for the Mid-Atlantic. The journey brought together donors for an experience of prayer, fellowship, and renewal in the heart of the Eternal City.
