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 served as Socius of the Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus 2020 to 2025. He now serves in retreat ministry at Grand Coteau Retreats and as community superior in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. He enjoys movies, reading, and music.
The Listening Heart: An Ignatian Formation in Spiritual Accompaniment
The Listening Heart is a two-year formation program offered by the Ignatian Spirituality Institute for those who feel called and desire to enter the ministry of spiritual companioning. This program offered online with required residency retreats once a year invites participants into a sustained process of learning, prayer, reflection, and personal growth.
More than the development of skills, this is a formation of the heart. Participants are invited to deepen their own relationship with God, grow in freedom and interior awareness, and become more attentive to the sacred pilgrimmage of another person's relationship with God.