By Fr. Chris Krall, SJ

Saint Augustine, a man living in the 300s, who had his own powerful calling and radical conversion, was actually one of the first neuroscientists. Augustine was obsessed with finding proof that God is Trinitarian and can be found within the created world. The best place to look for the Trinity is in the human person, which, as Genesis makes clear, is made in the “image and likeness of God.” And, the aspect of the human person that most clearly reflects this image and likeness is the human mind.

Augustine writes in De Trinitate, “The image of that nature than which no nature is better is to be sought and found in that part of us than which our nature also has nothing better...it cannot achieve so great a good except by being His image." He goes on to explain how the memory, the intellect, and the will are the interrelated aspects of the human mind that most reflect the interrelations of the divine Trinity. So, guided by Augustine's wisdom and well-formed as a Jesuit with the teachings of Saint Ignatius, I seek to find this Trinity-God in all things, especially the human mind.

My background is a double-major in physics and philosophy from Boston College, where I was inspired by many Jesuits engaged in a wide range of studies.

I began as a Jesuit novice in 2005 and went on to philosophical studies in Toronto, Canada, in 2007 to pursue a masters in the history of philosophy of science and technology. During regency, from 2010 to 2012, I was able to teach accelerated physics and moral philosophy at Marquette University High School. In theology studies, back to Boston College, I narrowed the spectrum of the sciences into neuroscience while writing the thesis for my Licentiate of Sacred Theology degree.

I was ordained in June 2015, and have been working as an associate pastor at Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee since.

	Fr. Chris Krall, SJ, speaks with children during a Family Mass at Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee.

What I have found about being a priest is that I am constantly in awe of the incredible ways that God manifests Himself within humanity. Gesu parish is a diverse urban parish. From the rich and poor, to the young and old, the university professors to the power-house athletes – everyone comes to worship and receive the Lord, experience merciful forgiveness, be inspired, encouraged, healed, nourished, and, most of all, to encounter, know, and love the Lord.

I am in awe as I witness this creative action of the divinity amidst His people. Moreover, I am finding that my mission as a priest is to witness and to reveal this creative Trinity to all these people who have such hungry, restless hearts.

I am surprised every day by the amazing ways that God reveals Himself. I strive to get out of the way while celebrating the sacraments so that the Lord can be with His people. So enthralled with the ways that God becomes most visible in the hearts and minds of humanity, I am applying for doctoral work in the interdisciplinary realm of neuroscience and philosophy.

Augustine had it right: the divine Trinity can be experienced in this created order. And since this is the case, the world needs more young people to be humble witnesses of the surprising, beautiful, and amazing ways that God is making Himself known. Called to be in awe of the Creator is the greatest of privileges.

Fr. Chris Krall, SJ, with the parents of a child he baptized

Fr. Chris Krall, SJ, is an associate pastor at Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wis.