Maher Hall

Yessenia works directly with the Maher Resident Assistants and the Collaborate LLC Team.

Yessenia's office is located on the 3rd Floor of Maher Hall, room 306E.

Born in Riverside, California on July 15, 1956, he attended St. Thomas the Apostle Church and elementary school, and, Notre Dame College Preparatory School staffed the Congregation of the Holy Spirit religious community (also known as the “Spiritans”) in the same city.

Joining the Spiritan formation program in College, he completed his undergraduate studies, attending Rice University and the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX in 1977 with degrees in Philosophy and Education. He completed his novitiate and professed vows as a Spiritan on August 1, 1979, at St. Mary’s Seminary (Ferndale) in Norwalk, CT prior to entering graduate studies (in Theology) at St. Mary’s University and (in Divinity) at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. After diaconal ordination, he served in his community’s educational, formational, and missionary work, learning from the poor in the favelas (the urban shantytowns) of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Returning to the United States and after his presbyteral ordination by Bp. Richard H. Ackerman, C.S.Sp. on September 23, 1983, he briefly taught at the integrated St. Louis High School in Lake Charles, LA while at the same time assisting in the Spiritan African-American parishes of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus, and their missions of Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr. White was then named director of the Spiritan College Seminary program in Houston, TX while teaching at St. Pius X, an inner-city high school for six years. During this period, he also served in campus ministry at the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and Rice University. In 1989, he was elected to serve his Spiritan community as Provincial Superior. Based in San Antonio, TX, during the next six years he traveled the province and many countries in the Americas, Europe, and Africa in support of the Spiritan missionaries who were assigned there, securing resources to assist them in their efforts.

Once his mandate was completed in 1995, he was assigned to the University of San Diego for sabbatical studies, earning a certificate in Education and Leadership Studies with an emphasis in non-profit development. From 1995 until 2001 he served as chaplain, Religious Studies department chair, (state championship award-winning) surfing coach, and a teacher of senior Theology classes at the University of San Diego High School. During this same time, he served as Resident University Chaplain at the University of San Diego. In 2001, Fr. White was reelected Provincial Superior of the Spiritans.

Residing in Maher Hall (a first-year undergraduate residence at the center of campus) he continues to serve as a Resident University Chaplain with the University Ministry team, assisting in liturgies, retreats, counseling, spiritual direction, overseeing the first-year program of the Bishop Maher Catholic Leadership Scholars and teaching four classes as an adjunct Lecturer in the Theology and Religious Studies Department at USD: Christianity and Its Practice, Introduction to Catholic Theology, Theology of Christian Marriage, Jesus of Hollywood, and the Problem of God and Human Suffering. He also continues to assist in coordinating the USD Men’s Group, and as an advisor to the Transfer Learning Community. He enjoys celebrating liturgies at local parishes, sports, reading, and film, especially documentaries.

Residence: Bishop Leo T. Maher Hall 410/411 ((619) 767-3559)
Office: Founders Hall 22C (619.260.2296)
Cell: (619) 571-0174