Rev. Joseph Costantino, S.J.

Born in 1955 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I entered the Society of Jesus after graduating from New York University (NYU) with a B.A. in philosophy and psychology.  I was ordained a priest 10 years later. 

During my time in Jesuit formation, I received a Masters in Philosophy from Fordham University, a Masters of Divinity and a Licentiate in Systematic Theology from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass.  After ordination, I also spent a year of graduate studies in philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, I devoted two summers serving as an intern in Wernersville, Penn., focusing on directing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

I served as a full-time retreat & spiritual director at St. Ignatius Retreat House (Inisfada), Manhasset, NY from 1989 to 1992.  

In 1992 and for the next 7 years, I was asked to serve as Vocations Director for the Jesuits. During that time, the novitiate and vocation offices of the New York and Maryland Provinces merged. 

Missioned to return to Inisfada to become the Executive Director with a mandate to reinvigorate its programming and refurbish its physical plant, I spent  another 7 years in that position. In 2006, I was appointed Pastor of the historic Church of St. Francis Xavier in NYC. During those next seven years, I oversaw a Capital Campaign, a $13.5M award winning restoration/renovation of this magnificant Church, a refashioning of its Pastoral Council, an updating of its mission statement, and the formation of the parish’s extensive outreach mission to the poor into an independent 501(c)3 corporation. 

Missioned then as both rector of the Jesuit Community and President of Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y, I spent two years in those positions.  In June 2016,  I began my tenure as Pastor of St. Ignatius, Chestnut Hill, at Boston College.  

On July 31^st 2022, after finishing a six year term as pastor, I was asked by our Jesuit Provincial to become the Jesuit superior of the St. Peter’s Jesuit Community in Jersey City. As part of this mission, I was also assigned to assist at Loyola Jesuit Center, not only as superior of the Jesuit community that serves there, but also to serve on the board and offer weekend retreats and days of prayer.  I am so truly delighted to have been given this wonderful new assignment and opportunity.

In addition to my many various assignments throughout my Jesuit life, I was also an elected delegate at the Jesuit’s 36^th General Congregation and am currently a member of the Jesuit Discerning Leadership Program.