Father John (JJ) Mueller, SJ, celebrates 60 years as a Jesuit, having entered the Society of Jesus in 1963. He currently prays for the Church and the Society of Jesus as a member of the St. Ignatius Hall Jesuit community in Florissant, Missouri.

Father Mueller devoted his life to teaching, beginning in 1970 with his first assignment at De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis, where he taught English and religion.

Following his graduate studies and ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Mueller taught theology at Gonzaga University (1979-84 and 1995-96), at Saint Louis University (1984-89, 1990-95 and 1996-2013), and at St. Joseph’s Scholasticate in Cedara, South Africa (1989-90).

After his teaching career, Fr. Mueller spent several years honing his considerable skills as a photographer, until declining health necessitated his move to the Fusz Pavilion infirmary in 2018.

Father Mueller earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and master’s degree in historical theology at Saint Louis University. He began doctoral studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, culminating in his Ph.D. in historical theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif.