Father Michael Harter, SJ, a Jesuit for 63 years, celebrates the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination in 2024. Father Harter has served in both Jesuit formation and communications-related ministries. He compiled Hearts on Fire, a book of prayers composed by a variety of Jesuits illustrating important aspects of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. It is published by Loyola Press and available in multiple languages.
Born in Wichita, Kansas, in 1943, Fr. Harter entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 18 at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri. He studied theology at Regis College in Toronto, Canada, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1974. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1974, at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Wichita by Bishop David Maloney. He made his tertianship, the final stage of Jesuit formation, in Australia from 1980 to 1981, and pronounced his final vows on February 2, 1985.
Beginning with his first assignment to serve as socius (assistant) to the master of novices in Kansas City, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado, from 1974 to 1976, Fr. Harter participated in Jesuit formation at all stages, including serving as novice director, assistant for formation and assistant USA tertianship director.
In 2021, he reflected on these experiences, saying: “I have accompanied young men testing their call to become Jesuits and worked with others struggling with their wounds and other limitations. Each assignment has given me an opportunity to meet and learn from new people and cultures, and to learn again and again to let go and move on to new places and opportunities.”
Father Harter also served in a variety of communications-related ministries. He was director of publications and editor of the Jesuit Bulletin and did communications work at Studio J Communications and Review for Religious, all productions of the former Missouri Province. He also served as managing editor of America magazine in New York from 1985 to 1989 and as a design consultant for the launch of a Jesuit magazine in Australia, in 1990.
Most recently, Fr. Harter has supported the province’s Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation project and has ministered to members of St. Ignatius Hall, the community for senior Jesuits in Florissant, Missouri. Read Fr. Harter’s reflection on moving to St. Ignatius Hall in January 2023 here.
