Way back in June, 17 Jesuits from the US and Haiti were ordained to the priesthood. One of them was Joe Kraemer. And like many of his fellow Jesuits, as the summer months wind down, he’s preparing to start his new ministry as a Jesuit priest.

Joe, though, didn’t “become” a Jesuit as his ordination. He’s been one for years, living and working with the Society of Jesus and its many collaborators. It’s easy to forget that the word “Jesuit” isn’t a synonym for “priest.” There are countless Jesuits in formation, and of course, there are Jesuit brothers the world over. Jesuits – as priests, brothers and men in formation – are still Jesuits, carrying on the mission and legacy of St. Ignatius, the early companions and all that have followed in their footsteps.

And so, today, Fr. Joe Kraemer joins us on AMDG to talk about what his years of formation looked like, what it has meant for him to now become a Jesuit priest, and what he hopes for his only ministry and that of the Society as he looks to the future.

Joe has great stories about a cross-country pilgrimage, ministering to those in prison and working closely with Martin Sheen.

If you’d like to learn more about the newly ordained Jesuits, check out this link: http://www.jesuits.org/ordinations/2022-ordinands/