Following the massacre of the Jesuit community at the Central American University in San Salvador in 1989, Dean Brackley, Jesuit from Fordham, volunteered to take their place. Aside from teaching and parish work he welcomed countless American college students on immersion trips.

Oct 16, 2019 · 11:34 AM UTC

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He considered this vital to building a culture of solidarity. As visitors begin to see themselves reflected in the eyes of their poor hosts, “the ground begins to shift under their feet. It is the Spirit nudging them to take up their deepest vocation in life.”
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“Have the courage to lose control, to feel useless, to listen, to receive...to let your heart be broken, to feel, to fall in love. Have the courage to get ruined for life. Have the courage to make a friend.” Dean Brackley SJ died of pancreatic cancer, 10/16 2011.
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Replying to @RobertEllsberg
I read the history of Jesuits and how they were used in colonization of the Raramuri in Mexico. Let's just say history has two sides like a coin.
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Replying to @RobertEllsberg
I miss Dean immensely. Thank you for posting this. He was an amazing, humble, passionate, and grace-filled person.
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Replying to @RobertEllsberg @gehringdc
I spent 2 days some years ago interviewing Fr Brackley in San Salvador about his role in the aftermath of the murders of the Jesuits. Besides being an indispensable interview subject, he was also warm, inviting, and disarmingly candid. It was my honor and privilege to know him.
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