Francisco Javier Díaz Díaz, SJ, 42, a native of San José, Costa Rica, first heard the call to the priesthood when he was 10. He learned about the Jesuits, though, during his years as a Boy Scout, as Ignatian spirituality was very much a part of his scouting experience. As a high school student inspired by St. Francis Xavier’s life, Díaz wanted to become a missionary, but his parents encouraged him to continue his education. At the University of Costa Rica, he studied medicine, and during his third year, read foundational documents of the Society of Jesus, which greatly influenced his discernment. After graduating from medical school in 1998, Díaz worked as a volunteer physician at a clinic for a year before embarking on a discernment journey where he met Jesuits in Central America, Mexico and finally the United States. In 2002, he entered the Jesuits in Oregon, and the Spiritual Exercises were the highlight of his novitiate experience. Missioned next to Loyola University Chicago, Díaz studied philosophy for two years while completing prerequisites required for a U.S. medical residency program. In 2006, he was missioned for three years to El Paso, Texas, where he completed his residency in family medicine at Texas Tech University. As a family doctor working for Catholic Charities’ Spanish Catholic Center in Washington, D.C., Díaz served immigrants for three years. He also served as a clinical instructor for Georgetown University medical students and treated infertile couples with noninvasive reproductive medicine. Missioned in 2013 to the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, he studied theology, served as a deacon at the Spanish Mass at St. Columbkille Parish in Brighton and volunteered with a free medical program at St. Anne’s Church in Shrewsbury. After ordination, Díaz will complete his Master of Divinity degree at Boston College and looks forward to serving migrants both medically and spiritually. He will celebrate one of his first Masses as a Jesuit priest at Our Lady of Lourdes in Montes de Oca, Costa Rica. (Oregon Province)