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Trevor Rainwater

Hometown
Bismarck, North Dakota
Province
USA Midwest

Biography

Biography:
Trevor Rainwater, SJ, grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, the eldest of three siblings. After graduating from a diocesan high school, he decided to attend Creighton University because of Creighton’s medical school. Trevor’s dream of becoming a doctor made sense given his parents’ background in the medical field. During his time there, he studied health sciences and theology and joined a discernment group to decide which vocation to pursue. In the middle of his senior year, Trevor told his family he was going to join the Society of Jesus. He entered the novitiate after graduating from Creighton in 2010. After two years as a novice, Trevor was missioned to Saint Louis University, where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy in 2015. In August of that year, Trevor’s brother and fellow Creighton alumnus, Conan, entered the Society as well. After finishing philosophy in Saint Louis, Trevor taught Scripture to freshmen at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School for three years, which he really enjoyed doing. He continued to be missioned further north, earning a Master of Divinity degree from Regis College at the University of Toronto. He is currently working on his Licentiate in Liturgical History at the Catholic University of America, which he will continue after ordination.

To learn more about Trevor, click here.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree, theology, Creighton University; Master’s degree, philosophy, Saint Louis University; Master of Divinity, Regis College, University of Toronto

What is your favorite book show you’ve encountered since entering the Society?
The book “Pillars of the Earth” describes the construction of a cathedral in the 13th century through a variety of characters. It shows the centrality of the church in the life of the town, but also how it is not a perfect institution. It is part of a trilogy so the reader follows the descendants through the series to understand the interplay between the medieval church, society and the monastic life.

What is one hobby you cultivated as a Jesuit, and why is it important to you?
Being able to go golfing next to the infirmary in Clarkston, Michigan. Not only was it a tremendous course to play, but it was also close by when I was teaching in Detroit.

What brings you joy?
Growing up, I spent quite a bit of time outside and in nature, so walking in nature — especially wooded or mountainous areas — is a great consolation.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had during formation, and why was it meaningful to you?
I really enjoyed and got a lot of energy and life out of teaching Scripture to freshmen at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. The Bible provides a huge variety of topics (history, parables, prophecy), so each student was bound to like something. It was also exciting to walk with these young men as they entered high school and began to find their own unique identities.

Tell your vocation story: use six words or less.
Catholic. Creighton. Choice. Community.

Who is one important mentor who has accompanied you on your journey? What made them a good mentor?
Fr. Brian Lehane, SJ, a fellow Jesuit teacher at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, who taught me that while content might be important, it is also important for students to have fun while learning. Students care far more about how you treated them than about being filled with knowledge.

Who is your favorite saint and why?
The archangel Raphael since he was my Confirmation saint and helped to pick my “destination” (Saint Raphael’s Parish in Raleigh, North Carolina) during my novitiate pilgrimage in 2011.

What are three words a family member or Jesuit would use to describe you? Do you agree with his/her selection?
Caring, worker, organized. Yes.

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