For Kevin Spinale, Ph.D., the journey to the Jesuit order has been one marked by profound
growth in faith and a deep commitment to education. Now an Assistant Professor in the Division
of Curriculum and Teaching at Fordham University, Spinale’s path began with early exposure to
Jesuit education, which ultimately shaped his vocation and career.
“I was privileged to be the recipient of a classical education at two Jesuit institutions,” Spinale
recalls. He attended Boston College High School and later studied at the College of the Holy
Cross. At Holy Cross, he pursued degrees in Classics and Religious Studies, while also playing
rugby—an experience that fostered camaraderie and discipline. At Holy Cross, Spinale met Fr.
John Brooks, SJ, former president of the College, whose fierce intelligence, humor, and witness
to the joys of religious life drew him to consider more seriously life as a member of the Society
of Jesus.
Spinale’s years at Holy Cross didn’t immediately lead him to the Jesuit order, though. After
college, he traveled through Europe and volunteered in Nicaragua. These experiences broadened
his perspective, but it was his time in the United States Peace Corps in Romania that profoundly
impacted him. “The experience taught me humility, resilience, and the importance of
competently cultivating learning in students,” Spinale reflects.
During his Peace Corps service in Brașov, Romania, Spinale often sought refuge from the harsh
winters in a Franciscan monastery’s chapel. “Behind the altar, there was a triptych depicting
Jesus’ baptism, and as I sat there, I contemplated the uncertain look on Jesus’ face—a look that
seemed to depict Him saying, ‘What’s going to happen?’ I had the same thought about my own
life. What’s next?” These quiet moments of prayer and reflection planted the seeds for Spinale’s
future.
After returning to the United States, Spinale pursued a fellowship at Teachers College, Columbia
University, where he taught full-time at a Brooklyn middle school. Yet, despite his passion for
teaching, he found himself questioning his purpose. “During this time, questions about faith and
life led me to consider the applying for the Jesuit novitiate.” Encouraged by the guidance of Fr.
John Brooks and buoyed by the support of his college friends, Spinale elected to enter the
Society of Jesus.
Entering the Jesuit Order
Joining the Jesuit novitiate was not without its challenges. “Was this a crazy decision? Was it the
right path to take?” Spinale admits. His concerns were amplified by the fact that it was 2005, just two years after sex scandal had rocked the Church in Boston. However, his doubts were
alleviated during a pivotal retreat—the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
“I had the tremendous grace of experiencing this retreat at a retreat house in Gloucester, MA,
right by the Atlantic Ocean, in January,” Spinale shares. Over the course of nearly four weeks, he
contemplated the life of Jesus Christ, focusing particularly on His passion and the Cross.
Challenges and Faith
Spinale’s intellectual curiosity led him to explore one of the most challenging questions in
Christian theology: how to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in an all-powerful, all-
good, all knowing God. This question, known as theodicy, deeply resonated with him. “I spent
years fixated on this issue,” he explains. His Master’s thesis at the University of Chicago focused
on Thomas Aquinas’s commentary on the Book of Job.
In his studies, Spinale appreciated Aquinas’s concept of providence—the idea that God’s
creation, despite its imperfections, reflects every degree of goodness. While evil is understood as
the absence of good, Spinale recognizes that this explanation often feels insufficient for those
who have experienced suffering. “Providence allows for the dynamic nature of God, and through
it, humanity has the capacity to be genuine sources of good in the world,” he reflects. This
understanding continues to inform his teaching and personal philosophy.
The Role of Jesuit Education Today
As an educator at Fordham, Spinale frequently contemplates the role of Jesuit universities in
today’s rapidly changing world. “For any reputable college or university in the United States, it
is imperative to excel academically and embrace pluralism,” he says. Jesuit institutions have a
long history of supporting immigrant communities and fostering a love for the Church, but
Spinale acknowledges that today’s context requires new approaches.
“I don’t know how exactly vowed religious life and commitment to the truth of the Incarnation
translate to what we have now,” he admits. However, he remains optimistic that Jesuit
institutions can continue to make courageous, thoughtful decisions that will shape the future of
education. “We are at a critical point. It is not to say courageous decisions aren’t being made
now, but perhaps Jesuits need to make more dramatic ones with regard to their roles at Jesuit
colleges and universities.”
Looking to the Future
Looking ahead, Spinale hopes to continue making a meaningful impact through education. “A
decade from now, I hope to teach teachers and contribute to notions of Jesuit or Ignatian
pedagogy,” he says.
Spinale’s journey—one marked by moments of reflection, service, and deep faith—continues to
shape his work as an educator and Jesuit. His dedication to learning, teaching, and living out the
Jesuit values of service and reflection serves as an inspiration to both his students and colleagues.
Interview with Kevin Spinale, Ph.D., conducted and furnished by Robert Niewiadomski, Ph.D., Ed.D. Content produced in collaboration with Ayedje Kossi.
