PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR. Fr. Xavier Olin is named the new head of The Society of Jesus in the Philippines and the 13th Provincial Superior of the Philippine Jesuits, according to a statement on Saturday. Olin will succeed Fr. Primitivo Viray Jr., who has held the position since 2017. (File photo from Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific)
MANILA – The Society of Jesus in the Philippines has named Fr. Xavier Olin as its new head in the country, the congregation said on Saturday.
Fr. Antonio Sosa, the Rome-based Jesuit Superior General, appointed the 49-year-old Olin as the 13th Provincial Superior of the Philippine Jesuits, according to a statement.
Olin, currently the rector of the Loyola House of Studies and executive director of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality, will succeed Fr. Primitivo Viray Jr.
Olin entered the Society of Jesus in 1997 after obtaining his Literature degree from his hometown Jesuit school, Ateneo de Naga University, in 1994.
He also completed a degree in Theology and a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry at Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City.
He was ordained in 2008 by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who was then the bishop of Imus.
“I thank Fr Xave for his generosity and availability to serve the Province and the Society. Let us all continue to pray for Fr. Xave and the province,” the former head of the Society of Jesus said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news website. (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)
