By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
More than two decades after beginning his vocational journey with the Society of Jesus, Father Phillip Alcon Ganir has taken the last step in his profession as a Jesuit priest — but it’s hardly the end of his formation.
Father Ganir, who was born in Seattle and grew up in Aiea, made his profession of final vows during a special Mass April 25 in Weston, Massachusetts, at the Campion Jesuit Center’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Along with another priest, Father Timothy O’Brien, Father Ganir formalized the three perpetual vows he pronounced in 2001 — of poverty, of chastity and of obedience — and opened the door to fulfilling the Jesuits’ fourth vow, which calls for obedience to the pope to serve the church anywhere in the world.
Father Ganir, who is an assistant professor of religious education at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, said he feels “very peaceful and joyful” to complete this part of his formation journey, especially since the semester is also coming to a close.
“Anyone discerning a call to be a Jesuit should be prepared for the idea of lifelong formation, which was a foundational idea for St. Ignatius Loyola (the order’s founder),” Father Ganir explained. “That doesn’t mean we’re in classrooms the entire time, but we’re asked to be mindful of the ways the Lord is actively forming us all throughout our lives.”
Father Ganir said his current mission as an educator will not change for now, and in fact he is working toward earning tenure at Boston College. However-, “on another level, the fourth vow of obedience to the pope makes me radically available to serve the church where the Holy Father wants us to be present.”
He acknowledged that this is not always an easy concept to embrace, “so that’s why praying for the grace to be available (and generous) is a daily task.”
Father Ganir cited the many places and people who supported him throughout his vocation journey — family and friends; alma maters including Damien Memorial School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa; the Newman Center at UH, “where I spent my life as an undergraduate”; his home parish of St. Elizabeth Church; and the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary and the Capuchin Franciscan priests in Hawaii, “who have been so kind and gracious with their prayers.”
“And of course, Bishop Larry Silva, who I have known throughout my formative years,” Father Ganir said. “To profess these final vows is to acknowledge and be grateful for the local church in Hawaii.”
Above: In attendance at the April 25 liturgy were Jesuit superiors, Father Ganir and Father O’Brien, friends and Father Ganir’s students. From left: River Simpson, SJ; Deacon Josef Rodriguez; Peter Bell, SJ; Father Michael McFarland, local superior of the Campion Jesuit Center; Father Joseph O’Keefe, provincial of Jesuits East Province; Father Ganir and Father O’Brien, Father George Collins, rector of the Faber Jesuit Formation Community at Boston College and principal concelebrant; Father Radmar Jao, socius to Jesuits West Province; Father Trevor Rainwater, vice superior of the Detroit Jesuit Community; Deacon Conan Rainwater; Matthew Briand, SJ; and Myles Kelley, SJ. (Anthony Tulliani / courtesy Father Phillip Alcon Ganir)