Reverend James J. Fischer S.J.

In 1556 St. Ignatius of Loyola’s assistant set the tone for the Jesuit commitment to Catholic education when he wrote to Philip II, then King of Spain, that “the well-being of Christianity and of the whole world depends on the proper education of youth.” Throughout his life, Father James J. Fischer has demonstrated fidelity to this mission, giving himself over to the advancement of several wonderful Jesuit institutions – three of which he served in the classroom, and four as an administrator. Upon his graduation from St. Michael’s High in Jersey City, James Fischer decided to pursue higher education with the Jesuits, earning his BA from Loyala in Chicago (through studies at the former seminary St. Andrew-On-Hudson in Poughkeepsie, NY) and his PhD from Bellarmine College. After spending a few years in the classroom teaching Mathematics, Latin and Letters at St. Peter’s College and Canisius High School, he returned to school himself at Woodstock College in Maryland. Following Woodstock College, Father Fischer taught Mathematics for eight more years at Fordham University, before moving into successive administrative stints over 40+ years at St. Andrew-On-Hudson, formerly in Poughskeepie, NY; St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City; Regis High School in New York City; and McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, New York.

In recognition of his service to the Church and to the world, Father Fischer has been awarded numerous honors. In 1995, Father Fischer was a recipient of the Deo et Patriae Award, for his involvement with Regis High School and the community in a distinguished capacity. LeMoyne College, a Jesuit institution of higher education, awarded Fischer an honorary doctorate in 2003, and McQuaid Jesuit High School named him to it’s Faith and Service Round Table in 2004.