Biography

In his 60 years as a Jesuit, Fr. Wayne Herpin, SJ, has served in seven states and studied in three countries. Since 2019, he has been assigned to St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Jasper, Ala., where he serves as pastor.   

His ministries have been equally diverse, serving as teacher, pastor and pastoral minister. 

Father Herpin has served in his home state of Texas plus South Dakota, Alabama, Louisiana, California, Florida and New Mexico. He has studied all over the United States in addition to Canada and Mexico.  

Father Herpin’s Reflection on 60 Years as a Jesuit:

The Society of Jesus has given me the means and the opportunity to minister to the rich and the poor, the powerful and the oppressed, the young and the old, the beautiful and the neglected, the wise and the worldly, the sophisticated and the simple, the haughty and the hurting, the intellectual and the challenged; but mostly to just ordinary folks.  

In the novitiate my novice master often talked about St. Ignatius’ Magis or “the more.” Each of you has taught me something about myself and has helped me to come to understand that “the more” is not only about quantity, but maybe more importantly about quality. And each of you has shown me Jesus’ limitless and perfect love. 

I thank you for letting me be part of your life. I pray that each day you feel Jesus’ limitless and perfect love for you and that you will discover how he calls you personally to better share his love with others in your life.