Simon P. Zachary Biography

Simon was born and raised in Glendale, Arizona, by his loving parents alongside his two sisters. He met the Jesuits as a high school student at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix. As an undergrad, Simon attended another Jesuit institution: Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. There, he majored in business administration and was equally captivated by international politics, service work and issues of economic justice. Curious about the business world, he worked in Microsoft’s online advertising division for six years after graduation, holding various roles in account management and technical account management. Meanwhile, Simon felt God’s gentle tug toward religious life, and he finally entered the Society of Jesus in 2013. As a novice in Culver City, California, he assisted at a juvenile hall facility, served as a hospital chaplain and accompanied students on retreats at a high school. He then studied international political economy and philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, where he also had the wonderful opportunity to teach English as a second language to immigrants. After completing his academic program there, Simon did his regency at his high school alma mater, Brophy. There, he helped develop and teach a variety of social studies courses while also assisting in service work, retreats and various clubs. Simon’s mother passed away while he was a regent in Phoenix, and he is immensely grateful to have accompanied her in her last years. For his theology studies, Simon earned his Master of Divinity at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. During that time, he also completed a degree in Catholic educational leadership at the University of San Francisco and participated in a semester abroad program studying theology and French at Centre Sèvres in Paris. He was ordained a transitional deacon in October 2022 and served at St. Ignatius Parish, and occasionally at Notre Dame des Victoires Parish, both in San Francisco. Following his priestly ordination, Simon will serve at Seattle Preparatory School, teaching theology and social studies and assisting in campus ministry and adult faith formation.