Fr. John "Jack" Navone S.J.

Fr. John ("Jack") Navone S.J. died on Christmas Day 2016 from a brief battle with cancer. He lived a joyous, fulfilled and adventuresome life as a Jesuit priest, theologian, philosopher, educator, author, raconteur and a Professor Emeritus of Pontifical University, Rome, Italy.

John was born October 19, 1930 in Seattle. He grew up on Queen Anne Hill and attended St. Anne School. He went to O'Dea High School for 3 years and graduated from Seattle Preparatory School in 1948.

He entered the Jesuit novitiate of St. Francis Xavier at Sheridan, Oregon in 1949 and studied there for 4 years. He then attended Mont Saint Michael's, Philosophate, Jesuit seminary in Spokane, WA. He received his master's degree in philosophy from Gonzaga in 1956. From 1959 to 1962 he studied theology at Regis College, University of Toronto. He was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1962.

He received his doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1966.

John began teaching biblical theology at the Gregorian University in 1967, and spent his career at the Greg teaching in that department. He loved teaching and brought to it an excitement that only a person thoroughly impassioned by his life possesses. He shared the same exhilaration for life, friends and experiences in Rome, a city he adored, thrived and lived in for 47 years. He published a total of 23 books and many scholarly articles in several magazines. He spent his final years years of "retirement" teaching at Gonzaga University. Father Navone had been quoted in books and major media, which illuminated his career as a theologian as well as his love for people, the humanities, and nature. The highlight of his career/life was being noted by the current Pope Francis as one of the Pope's most major early influences. It was John's book, "The Theology of Failure" that shaped Pope Francis's life view on patience. Pope Francis praised John's book and said "(patience) is a theme that I have pondered over the years after my having read the book. The Theology of Failure, in which Fr. Navone explains how Jesus lived patiently." The Pope added "patience" is forged in dialogue with human imitations.

John is survived by five siblings: brothers Joseph, James, George and sisters Helen Gleason and Catherine Mullally. He also enjoyed the company and conversation of numerous nieces and nephews most of whom reside in Seattle.

Funeral Mass will be Saturday, January 21 @ noon, St. Aloysius's Church, 330 East Boone Avenue, Spokane, Wa. 99202

Remembrances can be made to Regis Community Center, 1107 Astor, Spokane, WA. 99202

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Jan. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Navone

Sponsored by The Family.

3 Entries

Dawn Eden Goldstein

September 2, 2017

Dear Family and Friends of Father John,

I was blessed to have Father John as a long-distance friend during the final two years of his life.

We first connected when I contacted him in September 2014 as I was researching two works in which his theology of failure, and its influence on Pope Francis, figured prominently: my doctoral dissertation and my book Remembering God's Mercy. I asked him questions about his book The Theology of Failure (reprinted as Triumph Through Failure) and he was utterly generous in answering my questions. Moreover, when I sent him the chapter in my dissertation that discusses his work, he reviewed it, approved it, and gave me great encouragement in my writing and apostolate. He also accompanied me with his prayers throughout the writing of my book and dissertation.

With Father John's help and prayers, I became the first woman to receive a doctorate in sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake, graduating summa cum laude in 2016. Today I teach university students and seminarians, and Father John is a part of any good work I do.

Father John was a true spiritual father to me. I thank God for the blessing of having known him, and am very sorry not to have the opportunity to meet him in this life.

Dawn Eden Goldstein, S.T.D.
Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Cromwell, Connecticut

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

January 17, 2017

Dear Family,
We Sisters of the Holy Names, who taught Fr. John at St. Anne School, Seattle, send to you our sympathy and prayers at this time when he enters his eternal life. May you know his nearness always.

Annie Gleason

January 16, 2017

My uncle Jack loved life more than anyone I know. His intellect was profound and he was so much fun to be around because he shared all his knowledge and wonderful stories with all! We feel blessed to have had him for 86 years and know he is where he is meant to be now. ❤

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