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(NEW ORLEANS – November 23, 2021) Nearly five hundred years ago, a young Spanish soldier from a privileged background suffered a cannonball hit that changed his life. Wounded, he spent months in bed, in solitude and contemplation. Known today as St. Ignatius of Loyola, he emerged a changed person. He founded the Jesuit order and wrote the Spiritual Exercises, principles that still today guide Catholic education at Jesuit schools and universities.

In celebration of this Ignatian Year, Jesuit schools and universities around the world are reflecting on “cannonball moments,” those life-changing experiences that lead us to a new path and closer to spiritual fulfillment. 

The Loyola Institute for Ministry -- together with a citywide Ignatian Year Celebration Committee and Immaculate Conception Church -- is co-hosting “Cannonball Conversations,” a lunchtime Ignatian Year celebration on faith, formation and – yes - changing the world. The spiritual discussions will be held first Tuesdays, November through July, at the church.

In early December, they welcome as their second speaker, the Rev. Thomas Greene, S.J. who leads the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province. The Jesuit Provincial Superior is expected to deliver a powerful talk “From Prosecutor to Priest: One Jesuit’s Journey with Ignatius.” 

All are welcome to hear Fr. Greene speak at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, at Immaculate Conception Church, 130 Baronne Street. Admission is free. The talk will also be livestreamed on the Parish YouTube channel and Facebook. 

Prior to being named provincial, Fr. Greene was serving as provincial assistant for international ministries and as superior of the Jesuit Community of Belize, Central America. He previously served as the rector (superior) of Bellarmine House of First Studies at Saint Louis University, from 2014 until his appointment to Belize in 2017. From 2010 to 2014, Fr. Greene was Secretary for Social and International Ministries at the Jesuit Conference of the United States in Washington, D.C.

A native of New Orleans, Fr. Greene graduated from Jesuit High School, Loyola University and Loyola University School of Law. Prior to entering the Jesuits in 1997, he practiced law in New Orleans. He was a founding member of the Jesuit Social Research Institute of �������� in 2007.
He has graduate degrees in philosophy (M.A., Loyola University Chicago) and conflict resolution (M.S., Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska). He completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California.

His ministries have included the legal representation of detained immigrant children and asylum seekers in Chicago, Houston and New Orleans.

Father Greene was named provincial on Nov. 6, 2019, by Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, the superior general of the worldwide Society of Jesus. He assumed his duties on July 31, 2020.  

A Jesuit provincial is the leader of a province, a geographic area of governance within the Society of Jesus. There are four provinces within the United States. The provincial, sometimes referred to as the provincial superior, is responsible for overseeing the mission of the province and caring for the Jesuits who belong to the province. Provincials generally serve a six-year term.