Fr. Anthony Louis Lava, known as Louis Leveil, S.J within the Jesuit Society, was born in Kottaiyoor, Sivaganga Diocese, and grew up in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India, in a devout Catholic family. His vocation to the priesthood was profoundly shaped by the influence of his parents, three priestly cousins, and his early service as an Altar boy. In 1997, he decided to join the Society of Jesus, and after completing his Baccalaureate degree in Theology at Vidyajyoti College of Theology in Delhi from 2007 to 2010, he was ordained as a priest in 2010.
His pastoral experience began at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church from 2010 to 2011. He then served as an Assistant Novice Master at Jesuit Novitiate, Loyola Sadan, Lucknow, from 2011 to 2013. Subsequently, he assumed the responsibilities of a teacher and Associate Pastor at St. Xavier’s School and Parish in Punjab from 2013 to 2014. These experiences played an essential role in shaping his spiritual path and served as valuable preparation for his future endeavours dedicated to studying Theology and Spirituality.
His academic journey led to a Doctorate (S.T.D) in Christian Spirituality focusing on Ignatian and Eco-spirituality from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, Berkeley, California, from 2016 to 2020. Prior to this, he obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S. T. L) and a Master’s in Theology (M. Th) from the same institution between 2014 and 2016.
He held a lecturing position in Christian Spirituality at Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Pune, India, from 2020 to August 2023. He published an article titled “Contemplation to Attain Love: Towards Co-Labouring with God Who Labours in Creation” in Ignis IV in 2020. Additionally, he presented a paper titled “Ignatian Wisdom Towards Caring for Creation” in an online webinar organized by the Jesuit Educational Association - South Asia in December 2021. He is preparing his Doctoral thesis for Publication.
In his spiritual journey, Fr. Leveil firmly believes in the assurance of the God who called Abraham and to whom God said, “I will bless you, and you will be a blessing to others” (Genesis 12:1-3). He continually seeks the Lord’s guidance to remain a blessed priest, dedicated to serving the Church and God’s people as a source of blessing.