Taban Patrick Constantino, SJ

Biography

Taban Patrick Constantino, S.J., who was born in shadows of war, spent 19 years in a refugee settlement in Uganda. His first name "Taban" means suffering or fatigue in Arabic — summarizing his life story.

Born in a grim situation in Sudan — now called the Republic of South Sudan after secession in July 9, 2011 — when there was a civil war, his parents had to flee to the Magburu Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda in 1989. They lived in this difficult environment for nineteen years. After they returned to Sudan in 2008, his family was again displaced to northern Uganda by the 2016 conflict. They are now refugees again.

He received his Jesuit vocation from the Jesuit priests working for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Impressed by their pastoral services and humanitarian interventions, he discovered his passion for social justice. In 2010, he entered the novitiate in Arusha, Tanzania. He completed his philosophy studies in India, did regency in Ethiopia, his first theological studies in Kenya, and a Licentiate in Social Sciences (specializing in Social Communication) in Rome, Italy.

He is currently pursuing a Master in Fine Art at Loyola Marymount University, in Los Angeles, California. He received the Excellence in Directing Non-Fiction award for his 14-minute documentary film titled "One Day". He is currently working on a 20-minute documentary film titled "Shadows and Light: A Refugee's Journey" based on his own story.

His vision is to work for social justice by providing education and advocating for the marginalized, placing peace first as a beacon of hope for the hopeless.