Father Christopher J. Krall, SJ, 32, was born in Marshfield, Wis. He and his brother were raised by their parents, Eileen Mary (Stingl) and Edward Krall. He initially felt called to the priesthood in first grade at Our Lady of Peace School, where his mother still teaches. Father Krall attended Columbus Catholic High School and then Boston College, obtaining degrees in physics and philosophy. He spent a summer working with Jesuits on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, led service immersion trips to Jamaica and Nicaragua, and worked on a research project for the Vatican Observatory. After a pilgrimage along El Camino de Santiago in Spain, he joined the Jesuits in 2005.

As a Jesuit, Fr. Krall earned a master’s degree in the history and philosophy of science and technology from Victoria College and a Diploma in Lonergan Studies from the Jesuits’ Regis College, both in Toronto, as well as a Master of Divinity degree and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He taught physics and religion while coaching cross country, tennis, and ski teams at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wis., served as a deacon at Boston University’s Catholic Center, and worked with the Archdiocese of the Military Services. Father Krall hopes to further pursue his interest in Navy chaplaincy, as well as a doctorate in philosophy and neuroscience. He will serve as associate pastor at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee.

I am flooded with overwhelming gratitude for all the blessings that have been lavished upon me. I have been guided and nourished by people who have sacrificed so much of themselves for my growth, fulfillment, and joy. I have come to know Jesus Christ through these very real instantiations of divine love penetrating into my human life. I know that I have been blessed and given the special privilege of a glimpse into the heavenly light by acts of love done to me. Motivated by gratitude, all I can do is to love others by carrying forth these divine works of charity that I have personally experienced to those people who I am blessed to serve. I am moved by the desire to serve God, who I see and love in my family, friends, teachers, and people I will serve. While I will never be able to repay all the good that has been given to me, I give my life, now as a priest, in trying.