Full Circle: Brother Christopher Brady

by By Ginny Prior | June 1, 2017

Life has come full circle for Brother Christopher Brady. He’s returned to Saint Mary’s, where he first enrolled as a postulate in 1970. He remembers those early years as a time of great change as the school transitioned to being co-ed. “We ushered in women to the College, to academics, the dorms, the whole social life. It was kind of a happening place."

For Brother Chris, religious life was already familiar. “My mom and dad knew many priests and religious and I had two cousins who belonged to the Jesuit order,” he said, adding two of his brothers had also explored the priesthood.

But it was the sheer joy the Brothers displayed at his high school, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, that influenced him to become a Brother. “They were very happy, content, full of life, laughed a lot, enjoyed one another and were serious about their work.”

After earning his BA at Saint Mary’s and his MA in school administration from the University of San Francisco, he spent the next 27 years as a principal and eight as an administrator before returning to SMC to work in Mission and Ministry.

Brother Chris remains close to his family, including nephew Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, who often joins his West Coast family for celebrations via Skype.

As rich as his family life is, Brother Chris finds it equally rewarding to be a Brother. “I never saw myself turning away from something…but turning towards something," he said, "a rich life of people and happiness and smiles."