From Loyola University Maryland to the Priesthood: Celebrating the Journey of a Newly Ordained Jesuit

Jonathan Pennacchia, a 2014 graduate of Loyola University Maryland, was recently ordained as a Jesuit priest on June 14 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in New York City. He will focus on pastoral ministry in his new role.

Hailing from Wappingers Falls, New York, Father Pennacchia earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in mathematics. During his time at Loyola, he was deeply involved in campus ministry, assisting with various liturgies and events. In August 2014, he began his journey in the Society of Jesus, progressing to his diaconate ordination last spring.

Reflecting on his time at Loyola, Father Pennacchia shared, “My three years as an intern in campus ministry were deeply formative. The motto, Strong Truths Well Lived, resonates with me to this day. It was here that I found clarity about my vocation, thanks to supportive professors, chaplains, and friends.”

His first encounter with the Jesuits was during a fifth-grade field trip to the National Shrine of the North American Jesuit Martyrs in Auriesville, New York, an experience that left a lasting impression.

Father Pennacchia will be the celebrant and homilist for Loyola’s Mass of the Holy Spirit on September 14 at noon in Alumni Memorial Chapel, a ceremony that marks the beginning of the academic year in Jesuit tradition.

Interestingly, Father Thomas O’Donnell, another Loyola graduate, was also ordained this year and is now serving the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This highlights the ongoing legacy of Jesuit education, which has shaped many leaders in various fields.

Research shows that graduates of Jesuit institutions tend to engage more actively in their communities, often prioritizing service and ethical leadership. This commitment is reflected in the career paths of many alumni, not just in ministry but also in sectors like education, healthcare, and social justice.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the values instilled by schools like Loyola are more important than ever. They encourage students to look beyond themselves and consider the greater good, a principle that resonates across many debates today—be it in politics, health care, or technology.

Source link