Saint Louis Billikens Athletics

Christian Zombek, SJ, in formation to become a Jesuit priest, was missioned to Saint Louis University to complete the Masters in Philosophy and Theology for Ministry program.  

Christian is from Oneida, a small town in upstate New York. Before he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Christian went to a public high school in Oneida and afterwards attended Fordham University. After he graduated from college with a degree in mathematics, he discerned a calling to religious life in the Society of Jesus while working at Canisius High School, a Jesuit high school in Buffalo, New York.  

Christian entered the Jesuit novitiate, the first stage of Jesuit formation, in August 2019 in Syracuse, NY. During these two years, he spent one month living in Richmond, Va., working at Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón and five months working at a Jesuit middle school, the Nativity School of Worcester, Mass. In August of 2021, he professed vows of perpetual chastity, poverty, and obedience and arrived at SLU two days later. 

As the men’s soccer chaplain, he is constantly impressed and inspired by the players. He particularly enjoys the one-on-one conversations when he can hear about what’s happening in their lives and what their other passions are. The best feeling for him is watching the guys support one another and push each other to be their best. 

In addition to his time as chaplain, Christian has worked at Saint Louis Catholic Academy, a private Catholic school in the north side of Saint Louis and the Claver House program, where he helped orchestrate food and clothing distribution with a particular focus to families with small children. 

Christian is an avid soccer fan and former player. He played club in high school and intramural in college, and he also plays intramural here at SLU. Additionally, he played tennis and ran track in high school. 

Below is Christian’s favorite quote: 

Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything. 

– Bl. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. (1907-1991)