Welcome to our Jesuit cribs

By Aitor Zabalegui

They can be your favorite professor, a spiritual guide, a long-time family friend or just normal guys who listen to NPR.

They're Jesuits, and only three years ago they packed their bags and left their digs in Nobili Hall to move into one heck of a crib.

They call it the Jesuit Residence Halls, and located across the street from the music building, it is home to a little over 40 of the university's most sacred minds.

The Jesuit community opened their doors this week to give The Santa Clara a more intimate view of their environment.

The building itself is of typical adobe architecture, and the walls were a warm and inviting caramel color. Though it was the middle of the day, the halls were dimly lit, offering a reverent sort of atmosphere.

The first stop was the Jesuit office which consisted of a couple of computers, an outdated printer and a modern typewriter.

After a brief stay in this wing of the residency, Jack Treacy, S.J., showed the resident chapel. This small room of worship was modeled akin to a miniature version of the mission church.

Pews were organized in a circle around a small altar, and a pale yellow light illuminated the room through a row of stained glass windows, which had also made the move from Nobili Hall.

Daily masses are given in the chapel and every Thursday, the entire Santa Clara Jesuit community gathers for a community night, explained Treacy.

The residents take turns administering mass, and later eat dinner and socialize in what could is best described as the Jesuit family room.

Comfortable looking couches sat in front of a wide screen television, with richly colored rugs sprawled across the floor. It was tempting to stay and relax with a movie from their ample collection stacked across the entertainment center.

Through the large dining hall, which offered a buffet-style menu of fruits and beverages, was the backyard.

Outside, an impressive garden played host to herbs and vegetables including sprigs of fresh rosemary, bushels of basil and a habanero pepper plant.

Back inside, the Jesuit library appeared to be an academic haven, adorned with wingback chairs, a fireplace, shelves of leather-bound books and a baby grand piano.

Michael Zampelli, S.J., happened to be walking by and provided a tranquil sampling at the piano. Treacy tried to throw out a tip before he quickly drew back with a smile.

Lastly, was Treacy's apartment, a sort of all-in-one room, including a private bathroom. The L-shaped room could have been straight out of a catalog for the Container Store, with egg-shell white walls, and immaculate shelving.

Treacy, who worked as a flight attendant for Pan American Airways out of college, adorned his room with a number of classic Pan Am posters hung alongside a mixture of artwork and various photographs.

"Pictures are really important to me because that's what makes a space my own," said Treacy.

Many of the photographs were of family friends whom he had performed marriages for, or of his many travels abroad in Mexico, Taiwan and Kenya.

Looking around the room for eccentricities, Treacy jokingly mentioned, "Here's a Costco card, just sort of the glamorous life that I lead."

Fitness was also a big staple, with an exercise ball sitting next to a set of Perfect Push-Ups.

Asked to explain a particular photo, Treacy recalled a story of when he went zip-lining 180 feet off the ground during a cruise chaplaincy in Alaska. "I have an extreme fear of heights. Naturally, you could hear 'Jesus Christ!' bellowing through the mountains."

Contact Aitor Zabalegui at (408) 551-1918 or azabalegui@scu.edu.