Father Jacob D. Martin, SJ, 40, was born to Kathleen (Hickey) Janulis and Robert Martin and raised with his sister in the Chicago area. After graduating from St. Laurence High School, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Father Martin then spent five years doing improv and sketch comedy in Chicago. Though he had left the Church after college, the death of his grandmother, who had suggested he become a priest, led him back to Mass and discernment of a vocation to the priesthood. After learning about the Jesuits through the film The Exorcist and finding the order embraced his background in comedy, Fr. Martin entered the Society.

Father Martin’s formation included teaching at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Ind., and teaching theology and theater at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill. He received a master’s degree in philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx and a Master of Divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, Calif., while also serving as a deacon at the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Oakland, Calif. Other highlights of Fr. Martin’s Jesuit formation include authoring a memoir, “What’s So Funny about Faith?,” and performing in a solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. He will pursue a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at Heythrop College in London.

My heart bursts with gratitude for the many people who have loved, supported, and prayed for me on my path to ordination. First and foremost, thanks to Jesus Christ, who for reasons known only to Him, has called me to be both His companion and servant to His people. I would like to thank my mom and dad, John and Kathleen Janulis, for their consistent and unending love and support, and my father Robert Martin, who I know is proudly looking down on me.

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for benefactors to the Society of Jesus. Their generosity is at once incredibly humbling and inspiring, as all that they have given speaks to their belief in God’s working through our least Society, which in turn motivates me to give my all for the greater glory of God.

I am truly awed and blessed to be in the company of all of my Jesuit brothers who have journeyed with me on this path and will continue to do so.