The invaluable James Martin over at America has reminded us of something easily overlooked: Tim Russert was “an honorary Jesuit” who was educated by Jesuits, and spoke often at Jesuit commencements:

Russert seemed to embody a certain ideal of Jesuit education: the working-class youth who, through hard work and faith, contributed to his family, to his church and to the common good, doing it all with a sense of humor, even about his own Jesuit past. He delighted in recounting the comment of John Sturm, S.J., prefect of discipline at Canisius. When the young Russert asked Fr. Sturn for mercy after a minor infraction, the prefect said, “Mercy is for God. I deliver justice!”

The “man for others” to quote Pedro Arrupe, S.J., is an oft-used expression to describe the ideal Jesuit alumnus. (Today it’s the “man and woman for others” or the “man and woman for and with others.”) Father Arrupe, the former superior general of the Society of Jesus, meant this is as a real challenge: it was not simply about “being nice” but being a person of self-sacrifice, a person who tried his or her best to emulate Christ.

Russert seemed to embody this ideal in his profession and his personal life. He wasn’t perfect, but he sacrificed and work diligently to serve his country, his family, and his God.

It seems fitting today that his funeral will be celebrated at the Jesuits’ Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown.

Amen.