A Mass of Christian Burial for Father John J. “J.J.” Mueller, SJ, was to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at St. Ignatius Hall in Florissant. Father Mueller died March 5 in Florissant. He was a lifelong theology professor and taught for nearly 30 years at Saint Louis University. He was 81 years old, a Jesuit for 62 years and a priest for 50 years.
J.J. Mueller was born on Jan. 10, 1945, to John F. and Cecelia S. (Sullivan) Mueller in Denver. His sister and both of his brothers also entered religious life. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Father Michael J. Mueller, SJ. He is survived by his brother Stephen F. (Mary) Mueller, a former Jesuit of the Missouri Province, and sister, Sister Cathy Mueller, SL.
Father Mueller graduated from Regis Jesuit High School in Denver in 1963 and entered the Society of Jesus at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant on Aug. 21, 1963. He pronounced first vows on Aug. 22, 1965, and was ordained a priest on May 3, 1975, at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis. He professed his final vows at St. Aloysius Church in Spokane, Washington, on May 1, 1984.
Father Mueller devoted his life to teaching, beginning in 1970 with his first assignment at De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis, where he taught English and religion. Following his graduate studies and ordination to the priesthood, Father Mueller taught theology at Gonzaga University (1979-84) before beginning at Saint Louis University. He taught there for 29 years (1984-2013), except for a visiting chair of theology in theological method at St. Joseph’s Scholasticate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Cedara, South Africa (1989-90), and the honorary Flannery Chair of Theology at Gonzaga (1995-96). During his time at SLU, he also served as chair of the Department of Theological Studies (1997-2003).
After his teaching career, Father Mueller spent several years honing his considerable skills as a photographer. By age 68, he transitioned to pastoral ministry at Jesuit Hall in St. Louis until declining health led to his mission to pray for the Church and society, first at Jesuit Hall and then at St. Ignatius Hall.
Father Mueller was a natural athlete and competitor; nothing made him happier than being pushed to work harder. His passion carried over to the classrooms. His specialty was theological method, and he was creative in finding new ways to teach theology to college students. At SLU, he was instrumental in conceiving the video project that resulted in Shared Vision: Jesuit Spirit in Education, designed to help lay colleagues understand the Jesuit spirituality and history that give direction to the mission of education.
Using photography as a creative outlet, he became an official volunteer photographer at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and his photos were featured in its publications. He also photographed the stained-glass windows in the College Church, and with Father Tom Rochford, SJ, published a book about the windows, “Saints in Glass,” using those photos.
Father Mueller was a keen observer who did not seek to draw attention to himself. He was a good friend who encouraged others’ interests while being willing to share his own. His commitment to education and ministry was deep and edifying.
Father Mueller earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and master’s degree in historical theology at Saint Louis University. He studied theology at three schools: the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1973-74), the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California (1974-75) and Saint Louis University (1975-76), before he returned to Berkeley and its Graduate Theological Union for a doctorate in systematic and historical theology (1976-79).
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
