Welcome to Fr. Cristóbal Emilfork, SJ

I'm Cristóbal Emilfork SJ, from the Chilean Province of the Society of Jesus. I joined the Society 15 years ago (2008) and was ordained priest in September 2019. I come from a family of five (Marcos and Verónica­–my parents, medical doctors, and two siblings: Nicolás–a classical guitarist, and Bernardita, a sociologist.

Before joining the Jesuits, I studied Journalism and Social Communication at the Catholic University of Chile in Santiago. It was there that I personally met the Jesuits through a Jesuit professor who taught "Social Justice in the Bible." With his guidance, we began a volunteering group that helped every weekend, giving school reinforcement in slums and vulnerable areas of Santiago. 

I worked in Journalism for around four years (including a brief time living here in the U.S. while working at CNN en Español headquarters in Atlanta, GA) and producing documentaries T.V. series about social and international topics. In this context, I joined the Society.

Most of my formation studies (Philosophy and Theology) were in Chile. Still, I spent a year studying Philosophy in the wonderful country of Peru. After my ordination, I finished a master's degree in Sociology and a master's degree in the Study of Religions, where I worked on environmental components of religious traditions. This last one was at the University of Oxford, where I had a wonderful time co-working as chaplain of the Latin American community of the University. Before going abroad from Chile, I met, loved and felt inspired by the work of Marisol de la Cadena, my current doctoral supervisor at the University of California-Davis. So when I knew I was coming here to C.A., I couldn't be more thrilled. 

I'm in my third year of my doctoral program in Socio-environmental Anthropology. I am working on the epistemology of Climate Change, particularly on the ways in which knowledge is built among scientists who work in fields related to it. I am focusing on human-ice relationships through melting glaciers in southern Patagonia, Chile, as my country is currently really hydrically stressed by water scarcity. God willing, next year, I will be working with glaciologists from the Gaia-Antarctica Research Centre (at the University of Magallanes - Chile) and the Scott Polar Research Centre (at the University of Cambridge - the U.K.).

I love running, hiking and trekking. The Sierra Nevada has inspired me this past couple of years while living in the Sacramento Jesuit community. I also love classical music (and I am really excited to live in a city with such a great orchestra). When I was a teenager and a child, I used to play piano and flute traverse. I enjoy good readings, good wine (such an excellent place to be in California!, films and good T.V. series–now I am still mourning the end of Succession). 

Finally, nowadays, my time is dedicated as a doctoral student preparing for my candidacy, working part-time at UC-Davis in the Anthro Department, and doing pre-fieldwork for my coming year working in the field. I am thrilled to be joining the Jesuit community of St Agnes, which would be an excellent space for keeping my studies going smoothly and also, from time to time, participating of your wonderful faith community.

-Fr. Cristóbal Emilfork, SJ