Feat u r e
Meet Matt Lopez, S.J.
M
att Lopez, S.J. joined the teaching staff at Gonzaga this fall. Originally from Philadelphia, Matt graduated from St. Joe’s Prep and then Loyola University Maryland. After college graduation, about six years ago, he entered Jesuit formation, and is currently completing his Regency here at Gonzaga. Matt sat down with us to talk about why he was drawn to religious life, what he enjoys about teaching, what it’s like living in the Jesuit Community on Eye Street, and more. When did you know that you wanted to become a Jesuit? When I got to St. Joe’s Prep, I met Jesuits who were very holy, very devout, very pious people, but also extremely down to earth. They were about getting down to business, they were very practical—that practical kind of faith really drew me in. At Loyola, I expressed my interest in religious life to a Jesuit my freshman year, and he just laughed. He said, “Have fun, get into trouble, do the college experience, and then if you still feel that way in two to three years then come and see me and we’ll sort that out.” After Loyola, I was at the crossroads where I was thinking of doing Jesuit Volunteer International, going to grad school in speech pathology, which is what I had majored in, or maybe this Jesuit thing would fit. What I realized was, if I went
24
Gonzaga l Winter 2018
to grad school, I would be invited into really intimate moments of people’s lives— people who have had strokes, people who can’t say their significant others’ name, or
infants who have to learn how to swallow. Was I comfortable in that space? I thought yes. At the same time, I was looking at JVI, and it was exciting to go halfway around gonzaga.org