Fr. Rob Kroll, S.J.

My name is Fr. Rob Kroll, and I joined the Jesuits in the fall of 1987 after graduating from Georgetown University. I’m originally from Milwaukee, where I attended the Jesuit high school there, Marquette University High. I’m currently assigned to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where I’m a pastor of several small parishes.

Although the seeds of my priestly vocation were sown at St. Eugene grade school, my Jesuit vocation took shape during high school and college, where I was influenced by the example of numerous Jesuits. Frs. John Crowley, Ed Larkin, Frank Majka and John Egan inspired me, as did a Jesuit scholastic (now priest) named John Fitzgibbons. I can still hear Fr. Crowley whispering “See you in the seminary, Robbie!” as I walked near him, diploma in hand, at my high school graduation. At Georgetown, I befriended a group of younger priests who presided at the 10:30 pm nightly Mass at Dahlgren Chapel. One in particular, Fr. Bill Watson, remains a good friend and vested me at my own ordination in 1999. All of these men taught me that holiness and full humanness went hand-in-hand. They seemed so alive and joyful. I admired their selfless generosity in serving us young people. They truly loved us and dedicated themselves to our growth as persons and Catholics.

The Society has such a rich tradition of service to Christ and the Church. The intellectual emphasis of Jesuit formation and the network of Jesuit education institutions attracted me to the Society. I spent eight happy years teaching at Marquette High, first as a scholastic and then as a priest. St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises have also transformed the lives of many people, and I enjoy opportunities to give retreats and offer spiritual direction to those searching for God in their lives. The Society offers so many different ways to evangelize the culture and individual hearts! What might I say to someone contemplating a vocation to the Society? First, fall in love with Jesus Christ and with his Body, the Church! Spend time with the Lord in prayer, sharing your heart with his Heart, and listening to him. Listen, too, to what others affirm in you.

A large factor in my own vocation was hearing other people—some of whom knew nothing about my interior desires—telling me, “Rob, have you ever considered being a priest?” or “I think you’d make a good priest.” Pay attention to the small signs of peace and joy, too. When, as a high school senior, I read in Fr. Bill O’Malley’s book The Fifth Week that some guys seriously considering a vocation would practice writing their name with “Fr.” In front and “S.J.” behind, I nearly fell off the bed! I had done that myself, but would have been mortified to let anyone know. And here it was in a book!

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