Fr. E. John Hilgert
Originally, a native of Columbus, Ohio, Fr. E. John Hilgert, grew up in the area of Lansing, Michigan. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University, Fr. Hilgert heard God’s call and joined the Congregation of the Passion. Fr. Hilgert obtained his Master of Divinity Degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and was ordained in 1975.
Fr. Hilgert served as a deacon at St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky before going on to study Clinical Pastoral Education at Los Angeles County General Hospital. Since that time, Fr. Hilgert has engaged in a number of varied ministries including parish missions and college retreats across the country. A Newman Chaplain at the University of California at Davis, Fr. Hilgert also served as pastor at St. Mary Church in Fairfield, Alabama-an almost exclusively African American parish. This service inspired Fr. Hilgert to pursue work on a Masters of Divinity degree in Black Catholic Studies from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.
His work in spreading devotion to the memory of the Passion also led Fr. Hilgert to chaplaincy service to the AIDS unit at the Vacaville Prison Medical Facility in Vacaville, California. Fr. Hilgert continued service to this forgotten population through volunteer work with programs involved in ministry to people who are HIV positive. Since July, 2006, Fr. Hilgert has been involved in a variety of ministries from Immaculate Conception Retreat in Chicago. He continues to look for new ways to teach the Passion as God’s most overwhelming sign of God’s love for us.
