Fr. Jan Janoszka, SA celebrated his rite of ordination at Graymoor in January 2024.
Born in Poland, Jan spent much of his adult life in England, where he focused on ecumenism, interreligious dialog and social justice. From social work with refugees to immigration law, Fr. Jan recognized a need for at-one-ment to heal the world’s woes.
He collaborated with organizations in London, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster, Jesuit Refugee Services and Citizens UK. He helped form a multifaith leadership team that engaged local Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities in activities promoting community cohesion, reconciliation and healing. (You can read more about his life-changing experiences in London in this article.) Fr. Jan also served the poor, immigrant and refugee communities in England, Mexico, India and North Africa.
His commitment to social justice and ecumenism led Fr. Jan to discern with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. “The Friars’ charism brings everything together,” he commented.
He professed his first vows in Assisi in 2020, made his perpetual profession at Graymoor in January 2023, and earned his S.T.L. degree in theology with specialization in ecumenism and interreligious dialogue at the Angelicum, Rome in February of that same year.
Currently, Fr. Jan assists at St. Christopher’s Inn, a place where he again sees the beauty of at-one-ment being used to help those in need. “St. Christopher’s Inn is not just a home; it’s a community,” he said. “We get to work with the residents, their families and local communities. I can speak with anyone who wants to talk about spirituality.” Once he has gained practical experience at the Inn, Fr. Jan will conduct substance abuse and addiction counseling.
Fr. Jan, who credits his parents with giving him the gift of faith that led him on this journey, looks forward to whatever the Friars require of him to further the order’s charism. “We all belong to each other as a human family,” he said. “I’ve been able to work with people from different countries and with different religions and it was a very positive experience. I’d like to continue that through the Friars of the Atonement.”
