 Fr.
Chris Renz, OP
I entered the Dominican Order in 1989 after "puddle-jumping" across the country.
Originally from New Jersey, I am the second youngest of five children. I obtained an
undergraduate degree in biological chemistry from St. Peter's College (Jersey City, NJ)
and a doctorate in microbiology from Northwestern University (Chicago, IL). Afterwards I
spent three years studying heart disease as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of
Russell Ross, Ph.D., at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA). Though very excited by
the life of a researcher, I felt that it was not to be my life-long calling. After some
serious prayer, a bit of encouragement from friends, and a personal invitation from a
Dominican priest I met in Seattle, I decided to enter religious life. Since that time I
have felt truly fulfilled as a member of the Order of Preachers!
I was
ordained in 1997. Currently, I serve as the academic dean at our School (DSPT) [N.B. John, can you create
a hyperlink to the DSPT web site?]. Currently, much of my time and energy is devoted to the development of
institutional assessment protocols for the School. Happily, I find that this work uses a significant
amount of my research skills. When the protocols are up and running, I hope to return to teaching in the
areas of systematic theology and spirituality. I enjoy writing, though find it difficult to carve out the
time for it. I've published articles in the areas of spirituality, liturgy, and science, as well as a
number of poems. I hope to produce a full length manuscript of poetry . . . some day!
I enjoy poetry as nourishment for my soul. First attracted to the art through the works
of the Spanish mystic, St. John of the Cross, I began writing poetry almost as soon as I
entered the Order. Shortly thereafter, I met Armando Ibáñez, O.P. Together we formed a
small group of poets at the GTU, calling ourselves "The Power of Poetry." In
1990 we published the first (small) volume of Ruah. It has had a life of its own
ever since! I hope you'll take a moment to find out more about Ruah: A Journal of
Spiritual Poetry.
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