Steve Patterson, , from Oldham, Lancashire, left school at 16 to begin apprenticeship as an electrician. He signed as professional Rugby League player for Oldham at the age of 17. He was a self-employed electrician for some years before spending a year at Campion House, Osterley - a junior seminary run by the Jesuits - in 1995.
In 1996, he went to Guyana to experience the work of the Jesuits there and gain some idea of what life was like on the missions.
He joined the Society in 1997. One of his experiences as a novice was three months in Madrid, learning Spanish and working with street children in El Pozo - a deprived suburb of the city.
After taking his first vows in 1999, Steve spent one year studying A-level Maths and Physics. He then completed a BA in Philosophy & Theology at Heythrop College.
In 2003, he moved to Loyola Hall Jesuit Spirituality Centre, for Regency, working as a member of the retreat team. This included studying the Spiritual Exercises, directing people on residential retreats, giving workshops at Loyola Hall or in schools and universities and also going out to give weeks of guided prayer to groups in the north west area. He was also involved in the area of vocations promotion - visiting schools and universities to present the work of the Jesuits and raise the question of vocation generally, as well as the specific vocation to be a Jesuit.
