Mark Blancke

Spiritual Director

Mark Blancke is a theology graduate student at the Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University. Mark has 6+ years of spiritual direction experience - four years in spiritual direction internships, one year as a co-director of a spiritual direction internship program, one year leading a group in Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises in San Quentin prison, and during all 6+ years, providing individual spiritual direction. Mark was formed as a Jesuit for 9 years before discerning out, during a 30-day retreat. Mark practiced as a nurse, serving hospital patients, people with developmental disabilities, and elderly Jesuits. Immediately before his theology studies, he served as the Assistant Superior of a Jesuit infirmary in Clarkston, Michigan. Mark enjoys contemplative ecology, social justice work, poetry, and gardening. Mark has Bachelor's Degrees in Health Science and Nursing, a Master’s in Social Philosophy, and is working on two Master’s Degrees in Theology (with a certificate in Ecological & Social Justice).