Located on the south-western edge of South Dakota, the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian reservations, which include St. Francis Mission and the Red Cloud Indian School, are served by Jesuits who work in educational and pastoral ministries among the Lakota people.

One such Jesuit is Br. Pat Douglas. As a trained clinical social worker, Br. Douglas works with at-risk youth in a local juvenile detention center. Before joining the Society, Pat was already involved in social work, but felt that something was missing in his life. Recently, Pat sat down with the Jesuit Conference’s Acting Secretary for Social and International Ministries, John Kleiderer, for an interview about his vocation. Pat shared his journey of leaving the career and life he had built for himself behind, and how he came to the decision to enter the Society of Jesus.

For more information about the Jesuits, or to learn more about a vocation as a Jesuit, please visit Jesuit.org.