A Priest of Might Deeds - Fr. Jonathan St. Andres TOR

Nestled in the heart of Steubenville, Ohio, Father Jonathan St. André, TOR, serves as both a Franciscan friar and an administrator at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. His journey to the priesthood was shaped by family, community, and the ever-present guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s a glimpse into Father Jonathan’s inspiring path to serving God as a Third Order Regular (TOR) Franciscan priest.

A Northern Virginia Beginning

Father Jonathan grew up in Reston, Virginia, a bustling suburb of Washington, D.C. The oldest of four siblings, he was immersed in a supportive, spiritually rich community. From an early age, Jonathan was encouraged to explore his faith. While he attended public schools until high school, his parents introduced him to various Christian traditions, including a Protestant youth group. This blend of experiences gave him a deep appreciation for the universality of Christ’s love, even as it left him questioning aspects of his Catholic identity.

A key influence was his younger sister Janine, who has Down syndrome. “My sister in the beauty of her needs and who she is really allowed me to experience part of a call to be a Franciscan… Franciscans have a deep sense for the marginalized, a deep sense for the poor and those who are sort of overlooked…”

Fullness of Faith at Franciscan University

It was through Father’s time at Franciscan University, all of the pieces of his upbringing and formation clicked together. “Seeing people on fire for Christ while living out their Catholic faith was transformative,” he recalled. “I realized you could have a personal relationship with Jesus and still fully embrace Catholicism.”

While at Franciscan, he joined a household—a faith-sharing community unique to the university, comparable a fraternity. Living in close-knit community helped him grow in faith, prayer, and service. A pivotal moment came during his time studying abroad in Austria, where he was given the opportunity to travel and see the world. “You know, you go on pilgrimages and you see Europe and, you know, and I got this just fuller taste of Christendom and the history of the church and the beauty of the saints… I think the glimmers of a potentially vocation begin to kind of start to come at that point.”

A Call Confirmed Through Mission and Service

After graduating, Father Jonathan spent a year as a missionary with NET Ministries. Traveling across the country to share the Gospel with young people, he gained a clearer sense of his vocation.

It was his team members, however, who first articulated what he had not yet fully acknowledged. “They told me they could see me as a priest,” he said with a smile. “At first, I joked it was because they thought I couldn’t get a girlfriend?” After a few laughs, his teammates called out what they saw they holy Spirit doing in and through Father’s service to the youth throughout their travels. Receiving these prophetic words from friends he deeply trusted, gave Father the courage to discern his vocation to the priesthood more seriously.

Becoming a TOR Friar

Returning to teaching after his missionary year, Father Jonathan began the application process to join the Third Order Regular Franciscans. Father candidly shared that he didn’t enter the process certain he was called to be a priest. He explained “I'm not sure if I'm called to this, but I'm going to give it a try. And that was my attitude and that was perfect for me.”

Twenty-five years later, Father Jonathan’s decision has borne abundant fruit. Living in a fraternity of friars ranging in age from 30 to 75, he has found joy in communal prayer, ministry, and the shared mission of living out the Gospel.

Ministry in Daily Life

Now an administrator at his alma mater, Father Jonathan balances meetings and leadership responsibilities with his favorite priestly duties: hearing confessions and accompanying students. Father empathically said “I love being a confessor” and later shared being a tender healing presence through the Sacrament of Reconciliation was his personal charism.

Father Jonathan also leads mission trips and pilgrimages with students, fostering deeper relationships with God and community. From Jamaica to Iraq, these journeys have left lasting impressions on all involved. “The Lord has taken me places I never imagined I’d go,” he said.

A Message of Encouragement

For those discerning their vocation, Father Jonathan has simple yet powerful advice: “Action produces clarity. You have to take action to get to a further step in your life. Yes, you need to pray, you need to really sit with the Lord, you need to consider options, but ultimately you gotta take a step.”

Whether through his administrative work, sacramental ministry, or personal interactions, Father Jonathan embodies the TOR charisms of encounter, conversion, and community. His life is a testament to the power of stepping out in faith and trusting God’s plan.

As he puts it, “Be encouraged. The Lord is victorious, and His grace is sufficient for every step of the journey.”