BY PAT NEWMAN

ATLANTA--Many people spend the better portion of their lives searching for their true identity. Father James Babb, SJ, "found himself" and realized his religious calling in his second year of high school.

Now he is celebrating his 50th year in the priesthood and in August steps down after three years as director of Ignatius House Retreat Center in Atlanta.

His energy and commitment to his assignment as a Jesuit are instantly evident. He will stay on at the center, as that is where he sees the greatest need for service. At 81, Father Babb will continue leading weekend retreats and giving spiritual direction.

Friends of Father Babb regard him as a remarkable man. "He has an absolute commitment to every day," says Robert Fitzgerald, friend and vice president of Bell South. "He is so interested in other people's ideas. . . the breadth of the man is incredible."

"He's been very devoted to Ignatius House," said Debbie Brumelow, lay administrator at the retreat house. "He's definitely made a difference. He's a remarkable person for his age."

Father Vincent Malatesta, SJ, described him as a very private man who is fond of animals and word play. "He's a big Braves fan, but his favorite sport to watch is basketball," he said. Father Malatesta has known Father Babb for 15 years and serveswith him at Ignatius House.

Father Babb was born in Brockton, Mass., on December 24, 1914. One of 11 children, he followed his oldest brother into the Jesuit order upon graduation from Boston College High School. His reason for joining the Jesuits was simple. "I went to Jesuit High, I admired the teachers. I liked the work they did and their spirit. My brother was a Jesuit, why not be a Jesuit. I never changed my mind," he said with a chuckle.

He came south to Louisiana for seminary 63 years ago and has spent the rest of his life in the southern province as a superior, rector or director. Father Babb moved to Atlanta in 1991 and served as associate director of Ignatius House Retreat Center until 1993 and as director until now.

His two main functions as director have been "to preach the retreat movement and raise funds to keep it going," he explained. The weekend retreats are scheduled regularly throughout the year and according to Father Babb are "open to people of all religions or no religion." Three staff priests alternately conduct the lectures interspersed with quiet time for personal reflection.

"It's amazing what happens here on weekends. . . miracles. . . as a result of the graces of the retreat," says Father Babb.

He spoke of prayer and Scripture and the place they have in all people's lives. "During retreat, we teach you how to use Scripture. We teach through lecture and lectio divina, the oldest form in the church going back to the 4th century and the Benedictine monks. You take something and read it, and stop, read it and stop, mull over it. Secondly, we're trying to get out of our heads and into our feelings. Feelings, imagine Catholics talking about feelings, that's Protestant, right? Oh, no, it isn't Protestant at all, it's very good because we're human."

Father Babb refers to Father Anthony deMello, the late Jesuit writer, who says, "Until we get back to our senses we aren't praying." According to Father Babb there are two obstacles to prayer, intellectualizing and nervous tension. He explains that DiMello provides exercises in his writings to prepare one to pray through quiet and meditation.

When asked if there was one particular person who has inspired him in his life, he named an American Jesuit, Father Lawrence Gillick, a young blind priest who led him in a 30-day retreat about 10 years ago. "He changed my spirituality. I had an experience in that retreat that showed me my utter helplessness. You cannot do it. You are helpless, which I knew but had never experienced before." The gist is that we are helpless without God, he explained. "We are achievers, we are controllers. We bring that to prayer and we flop."

Father Babb sees today's Catholic laity as more involved in their church. "The lay people are much more mature. Now they're making up their own conscience," he said. He added that it must be done with the facts, however. "Before formation, get information and guidance. But in the last analysis, they make up their own conscience."

He sees the baby boomers coming back to the church in search of the elusive elements in their lives. "What is God's will? How do you find God's will? What is success? What is the meaning of life?" These are the basic "bread and butter" issues dealt with in retreat, says Father Babb.

With such weighty topics to deal with, it's no wonder Father Babb feels the need to continue on at Ignatius House. His plans evolve day to day. "Time doesn't lay heavy on my hands," he said.

Father Babb has been around the world, attended meetings and seminars in Rome, shook hands with Pope Pius XII, and is now perfectly content to remain in Atlanta. In 1958, he was appointed rector of the novitiate at Grand Couteau, La. Three years later, he took over as rector of the Jesuit House of Studies in Mobile, Ala., and since 1967 he has headed the work at retreat houses in Grand Couteau, Lake Dallas, Tex., and Atlanta.