In a speech to accept his newly-crowned governorship, Jerry Brown decided to go spiritual.

"We're all God's children," he said to supporters at an Oakland theater, "and while I'm really into this politics thing, I still carry with me my sense of, kind of, that missionary zeal to transform the world, and that's always been a part of what I do."

"I understand the political part, but I also understand what it's all about," he added.

The "missionary zeal" he's referring to could be a reference to his Catholic past. In 1958 he entered seminary and took vows to become a Jesuit. That was short lived, however, as he left the order two years later.

This is Brown's second time as California governor. He previously served two terms from 1974-1982. The win comes after unsuccessful runs for U.S. Senate and president, and successful bids for Oakland* mayor and state attorney general.

*It was originally reported that Brown was the mayor of Sacramento.