We remember with gratitude all that God has done through C.A. Leininger's life of service to God and His people. Please share your favorite stories or anecdotes of Father Leininger, so that we may publish a tribute in the next issue of Jesuit Today.

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Rev. Charles A. Leininger, S. J. 

A memorial service honoring Fr. Leininger's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 21 at Saint Rita Catholic Church in Dallas. Visitation will begin at 7 p.m. and Mass at 7:30 p.m. He will be interred in the Jesuit Cemetery in Grand Coteau, alongside his twin brother.

Father Charles A. Leininger, S.J. was called to eternal life on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Jesuit Community Residence in Dallas, Texas. He was 93 years old, a Jesuit for 77 years and a priest for 64 years.

C.A. was born in New Orleans on May 22, 1924, along with his identical twin, Joseph B. Leinginer. He attended Crossman Elementary, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Francis de Sales before entering Jesuit High School of New Orleans, from which he and J.B. graduated in 1940. The two brothers entered the Society of Jesus on August 14, 1940 at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau, La., claiming that they had each reached the decision to enter independently, without consulting with or informing the other. Following First Vows they studied humanities in Grand Coteau and philosophy at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., where C.A. earned a B.A. in History in 1946. For regency, he returned to Jesuit High School (La.) while his brother was assigned to Jesuit Tampa. The brothers reunited for theology studies at St. Mary's College (1950-54) and were both ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1953 at St. Joseph's Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College. C.A. made Tertianship at Xavier Hall in Pass Christian, Miss., and the brothers pronounced their final vows together on August 15, 1957 in Sacred Heart Church (now St. Charles Borromeo) in Grand Coteau, La. C.A. later earned his M.Ed. in Education in 1959 from Louisiana State University. Immediately after Tertianship, C.A. was assigned as principal at Jesuit High in Shreveport and he continued there until 1965, when he was named principal of Jesuit High School of New Orleans. Two years later, he became assistant principal for academics at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (1967-71). When Thomas Clancy, S.J. was named Provincial of the New Orleans Province in 1971, he was advised to ask for the best, most organized man as Socius; he immediately requested C.A., who served for four years as province consultor. Following another stint as assistant principal and principal at Jesuit Tampa, he returned to role of Socius for three more years (1978-81) under Provincial Thomas Stahel, S.J. After that, he returned to the high school classroom, remaining at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas until his death, teaching at various times English, Latin, and Ceramics.

C.A. was a principal or assistant principal for a total of 19 years at four different high schools; in addition, he was the New Orleans Province Director of Secondary Education for three years (1972-75),  served a total of seven years as Socius to the Provincial twice; was director of the Jesuit Seminary and Mission Bureau for two years; and assumed position as a corporate board member of the Jesuit Seminary and Mission Fund for 40 years. C.A. loved teaching and frequently professed his desire to continue at Jesuit Dallas as long as he possibly could. His somewhat severe appearance was very different from what those who came to know him found. He loved art and was not only knowledgeable about it but his paintings demonstrated his genuine ability. One of his perennial holiday recreations was to paint a copy of a masterpiece – in fact he and his brother sometimes found that they had independently selected the same work to copy. He loved the Jesuit community and enjoyed the companionship of both formal and informal events. C.A. is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Andrew Leininger and Josephine Blessing Leininger, his twin brother J.B., and another brother, Leo P. Leininger. He is survived by his sister Yvonne M. Leininger as well as a niece Josephine Ann Leininger and a nephew Charles Joseph Leininger. Letters of condolence can be sent to:

Josephine Ann Leininger
806 North Arnoult Rd.
Metairie, LA 70001

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