T.J. Groden, C.S.C.

Biography

Like Pope Leo XIV, T.J. Groden, C.S.C., was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs. Unlike Pope Leo, he attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate student and served as a Resident Assistant in Keenan Hall and on the leadership team for Camp Kesem Notre Dame. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in finance, T.J. joined the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE)and was sent to Sacramento, California, where he taught history and coached cross country at Cristo Rey High School. While in ACE, he discerned a call to religious life and, in 2019, entered formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross. T.J. recently completed his theology studies and will take his final vows and be ordained a Holy Cross priest in the 2025-26 academic year.