Fr. Kesicki was appointed by Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, superior general of the Society of Jesus, to become the leader of the U.S.-based Jesuits beginning Aug. 1, 2014. The Jesuit Conference, based in Washington, D.C., coordinates the work of the world’s largest religious order in the United States.
Fr. Kesicki, a native of Erie, Pa., was ordained to the priesthood in 1994 and taught theology at Loyola High School in Detroit from 1988-91. He later served separately as provincial of the Jesuits’ Detroit and Chicago provinces before the two merged under his leadership in 2010. He will succeed Fr. Thomas Smolich, SJ, who has served as president of the U.S. Jesuit Conference since 2006.
“This assignment comes at a very exciting time for the Church and the Society of Jesus here in the U.S. and around the world,” Fr. Kesicki said in a statement. “Going back to St. Ignatius himself, we Jesuits have always put ourselves in service of the Church to minister where the needs are the greatest. I look forward to helping the Society continue its mission with a renewed zeal, strategic use of our resources, and commitment to serving in Christ’s name here and around the world.”
