T. Jerome Overbeck

Who is T. Jerome Overbeck?

Rev. T. Jerome Overbeck, S.J. is an American author and Christian theologian who is also a prominent priest of the Society of Jesus. Since 1983, he has been chaplain, liturgist and professor at Loyola University Chicago and the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. He has also been a professional consultant for the construction and renovation of Roman Catholic places of worship.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, he entered the Jesuit religious order—obtaining a bachelor's degree at Loyola University Chicago in 1970 and a master's degree in education at Xavier University in 1972. Overbeck entered the Berkeley Jesuit School of Theology where he obtained a master's degree in divinity in 1974, a master's degree in theology in 1975 and a licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1982. He continued his studies at the Graduate Theological Union and University of California Berkeley, obtaining a doctoral degree in 1983.

Overbeck's most prominent publications were Ancient Fonts, Modern Lessons in 1998 and Preparing Your Catholic Wedding in 2002. Considered a groundbreaking analysis, Spirits, Life, Worship: A Hawaiian Religious and Catholic Perspective was completed in 2004 after spending a year researching native Hawaiian religious traditions in Hawaii and its influence over the traditions of the Hawaii Catholic Church.