James Janda

Jim was a good friend with great gifts. I am sad to hear of his passing. I knew him in California and St. Louis. We talked now and then.

Happy Birthday, Fr. Jim. Today you would have been 75 and I know we would be having a big celebration for you! You are so missed, but never forgotten!!!!

Jim and I were roommates in our senior year at Marquette. He was a delightful person to be around--thoughtful, articulate, and funny. I've often thought about him over the years, and was saddened to see the notice of his death in the university's alumni publication.

I was just thinking about Jim and what he might be up to and was saddened to learn of his passing. I had the pleasure of directing his St. Joan play in Brooklyn many many years ago. I remember him as a gentle and caring person. My sympathies to his family and friends.

Fr. Jim saw poetry as a vehicle of attentiveness, a form of endless rebirth and as a path to the Divine.

I just read the news of Fr Jim's death and it hit me painfully. I knew him when he was in the Bronx at Fordham (in the 70s) and he would come to say Mass at our Monastery, (the Carmelite Monastery). He was a very dear and kind man and we wrote over the years but I have been out of touch since the 90s (my loss!) I have been nourishing myself on his poetry at the SLJ Liturgy site.
Pray for us all, Jim, and thank you for all you did for so many!
Sr. Aletha Maher, OCD Carmelite...

I don't know where to begin in describing my deep felt honor to have known Father Janda. Since the time I met him in Sandy to the days in St. Josephs we shared many dinners, coffees, and long talks. We would discuss in great lengths theology, the latest documentaries and the Slovak language. When I found out about his passing it felt like my best friend had just been taken. I will cherish the few copies of his literature I had the oppotunity to recieve. I love you Jim and I thank you for...