Welcome to Fr. Helmut of the Jesuit European Central Province!

Not only is Thrive For Life’s mission reaching other parts of the United States, but also across the globe! This month, we were blessed to welcome Fr. Helmut Schumacher, SJ from the Jesuit European Central Province in Austria. Fr. Helmut will work closely with Fr. Zach, Pablo, and our spiritual care team as they visit jails and prisons throughout New York to deliver our quality, meditative retreats rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Our team sat down with Fr. Helmut to learn more about him and his vocation.

TFL: Tell us about your background and your vocation. What brings you to Thrive For Life?

Fr. Helmut: To search for my path! My journey in life has shaped me. My path of life began in Northern Germany, where I grew up. After my studies, I was ordained a priest in the local diocese in Osnabrück in 2009. In 2014, I entered the Jesuit novitiate and became fascinated by Ignatian Spirituality. In the biblical meditations, we have an encounter with God and become present as we enter into a very personal relationship with Jesus. In everyday life, this relationship inspires us and we let the world become our home with God. This was especially noticeable in my work after the novitiate in Innsbruck back in Austria. There I directed the MK Youth Center at the Jesuit College and also built up a retreat house for young adults. It was a wonderful experience for me and I was able to meet and accompany many great people on their journey of faith.

Now I get to work for the next six months here in the United States with Thrive For Life with the spiritual care team. I have been warmly welcomed by Fr. Zach and the community and am very much looking forward to working with them. I am especially excited to meet the many volunteers, partners, and supporters that work with Thrive For Life, including our brothers and sisters behind the prison walls. I hope that I will learn a lot about their own lives and paths and pray as we come together in faith to support and love one another. 

We are most grateful for Fr. Helmut’s vocation and care for our mission. Join us in welcoming him to the Thrive For Life family!