American Jesuit

Adecade or so back, after he had been turned down, yet again, for full membership in the Jesuit order, I asked Father Paul Mankowski why he didn't pursue his priesthood in an arena where he would be more appreciated -- such as the Sydney archdiocese, then presided over by Cardinal George Pell. As his reply indicated, my question had entirely missed the point of his remarkable life. His calling was to be an American Jesuit. His goal wasn't to be lauded by his peers or to be personally fulfilled. It was to do his duty to God by selflessly serving an order that rarely hid its scorn for him.