Thomas Elitz, SJ

Thomas Elitz, SJ, was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, where he was raised by his two wonderful parents, along with his younger brother. He attended Catholic school his whole life and met the Jesuits during his undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph’s University, where he studied accounting. After graduation, he worked as a financial analyst and internal auditor for two years at Johnson & Johnson. While he enjoyed his work, he felt a persistent call from God to religious life in the Society of Jesus. He entered the Jesuits in August of 2014.

During his novitiate, Tom was assigned to teach math and English at Yap Catholic High School in the Federated States of Micronesia. After professing vows in 2016, he studied philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. While studying at Fordham, Tom also taught English classes part-time to immigrants living in the Bronx. For his regency, he was assigned to Scranton Preparatory School, where he taught math and theology and worked in campus ministry. His experiences in the classroom implanted in Tom a passion for teaching and for ministering in a school environment. After working at Scranton Prep, he was sent to the Faber Jesuit Community in Boston to complete a Master of Divinity and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry. After being ordained to the transitional diaconate in September of 2023, Tom served as a deacon at St. Columbkille’s Parish in Brighton, Massachusetts, teaching RCIA classes and assisting at weekend liturgies. Tom is an avid runner, having run five marathons during the course of his formation. After priestly ordination, he will spend a year working at St. Raphael the Archangel parish in Raleigh, North Carolina.