A native of New Orleans, Fr. Billy was the first-born of six sons. After graduating from Jesuit High School of New Orleans in 1970, he entered the Society of Jesus at Grand Coteau. He received his undergraduate degree from Spring Hill College, double-majoring in philosophy and English. He then taught English and geometry at Strake Jesuit in Houston for three years as a scholastic. He studied theology in Rome at the Gregorian University for three years, was ordained a priest in 1982, and followed up with one more year of theology studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After receiving his degree from Fordham University in Educational Administration, he was appointed principal of Strake Jesuit, a post he held for six years. From 1991 until 2008 he worked at the Jesuit Novitiate in Grand Coteau, first as the assistant to the Novice Director, and then as Director of Novices for thirteen years. Fr. Billy has served on the boards of Strake Jesuit, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas, and Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep of Houston. Former rector of the Jesuit Community at Jesuit College Prep, Fr. Billy now serves as Socius of the Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus. He enjoys movies, reading, and music.
Companions in the Way: formation for guiding the Spiritual Exercises
Program description:
This ten month formation program prepares spiritual directors to guide others through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius with care, humility, and depth. The program attends closely to the structure, movements, and intentions of the Exercises while forming directors in the interior dispositions necessary for faithful accompaniment. In keeping with ISI’s commitment to freedom for mission, participants are invited into ongoing personal and spiritual formation throughout the program.