Welcome to “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination.

On this episode, Eric talks with Fernando Saldivar. Fernando reflects on what it has been like to enter the Society of Jesus after a long career as a lawyer — he’s a so-called “late” vocation — and also what he believes the world needs from a priest today.

Fernando is from California. He first met the Jesuits as an undergraduate student at Georgetown University. After earning his law degree from Southwestern University in 2005, he practiced law up until 2016 when he entered the Society of Jesus. One of the highlights of his Jesuit formation, as you’ll soon hear, was when he was missioned to Nairobi to serve as the global policy and advocacy officer for the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa.

As you listen to Fernando’s stories and reflections, consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.