Father Joseph Nasser, SJ, became a Jesuit in 1963, making 2023 his sixtieth anniversary in the Society of Jesus. He currently serves in a ministry of prayer in the community for senior Jesuits in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.
Father Nasser began his Jesuit ministry in 1969 at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School in Houston. Following his ordination in 1975 and the completion of his Master of Divinity, he returned to Strake in 1976 to serve as chaplain, retreat director and counselor.
He then served briefly at Jesuit High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, before becoming a spiritual director at Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, from 1980 to 1985.
Subsequently, most of Fr. Nasser’s ministry was devoted to retreat direction. He worked at Maryhill Retreat House in Pineville, Louisiana, (1985 – 1988), Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House in Lake Dallas, Texas, (1988 – 1990) and Manresa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana (1990 – 1994).
From 1994 to 2001, he served as associate pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Spring, Texas. He then returned briefly to Manresa House of Retreats in 2001 before becoming pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau (2002 – 2003).
Father Nasser served as the parish administrator at St. Pius I Church in Hemphill, Texas, from 2005 to 2014. He also served for four years at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson, Texas, before entering a ministry of prayer in Grand Coteau.
Father Nasser studied at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, earning his bachelor’s in mathematics. He also earned a Master of Divinity in Theology from Regis College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Father Nasser’s Reflection on 60 Years as a Jesuit
The gift is God’s.
Let us rejoice
and praise Him.You have encouraged me to be faithful
to our Lord’s invitation to serve
in His special priesthood.You have acceptance my weakness and sought
to turn me to our only real strength –
the God of Love.“Please, joyfully celebrate
God’s constant Love for all creation.”
~ Fr. Joseph Nasser, SJ
