Jesuit celebrates 50-year career

The Rev. Armand Nigro, a Spokane-born Jesuit, will celebrate his 50th jubilee as a Jesuit priest at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church on Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Nigro, 79, has a long history with the church at 300 E. Boone Ave. He was baptized there in 1928 and also took his final vows at St. Aloysius.

The day after Nigro leads Mass at St. Aloysius, he will participate in all-day 25th anniversary celebration of the Ministry Institute at Mater Dei. Nigro co-founded the organization in 1981.

Currently a retreat director at Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage, Alaska, Nigro taught undergraduate and graduate students in philosophy and theology at Gonzaga University, beginning in 1975. Before joining the Gonzaga faculty, Nigro taught at Seattle University and Mount St. Michael in Spokane. In 1973, Nigro went on a one-year sabbatical in Jerusalem.

Nigro, who earned degrees at Gonzaga, Alma (Mich.) College, and Gregorian University in Rome, entered the Society of Jesus after public school and three years at the Jesuit-run Gonzaga High School.

Nigro was ordained at St. Aloysius by Bishop B.J. Topel, He took his final vows in 1962.

After 40 years of teaching, he began leading retreats in 1999 and has lived in Seattle, Longview, Wash., and Anchorage.

The son of an Italian immigrant father and Spokane-native mother, Nigro reads six languages, including sign language. He speaks three languages and writes Italian and Latin.

“Father Nigro is known internationally for touching the hearts of people through his teaching, writing, spiritual direction and especially retreats he has offered throughout the world,” said F.W. “Buck” Rogers, spokesperson for the Ministry Institute of Mater Dei.

Mater Dei, 405 E. Sinto Ave., prepares people for ministry in the church or in various service capacities such as chaplaincy, nonprofit organizations or other career or family options.