St. Florissant Seminary

Title: St. Florissant Seminary
Description: William had entered the seminary while John was still at West Point and kept in close contact with him after he was discharged from the military. In February 1917, John formally entered the Society of Jesus as a novice at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri. Here, he would begin his formal religious training that marked a turning point in his life. The strict regime of his West Point training was not so different from John’s new lifestyle, now filled with mediation, silence, and reflection instead of field exercises and battle tactics. He would build his knowledge of philosophy, theology, and faith that would set a foundation for his contributions towards racial justice and equality. Following in William's footsteps, John immersed himself in the mission to help the surrounding settlements of those previously enslaved by the Jesuits. (Photos, B12F13)