The Process of Application

The Process of Application is meant to be an experience of discernment through which the Society of Jesus and an applicant enter freely and honestly into an intense time of reflection, assessment and discovery. Through this process, the two strive with the help of the Holy Spirit to discover the will of God, and they commit themselves to a faith-filled response to it.

The entire Process takes approximately ten weeks. During that time, the applicant undergoes thorough psychological, physical and spiritual assessment and evaluation. He is interviewed by four Jesuits and one lay Ignatian partner. He meets with a psychologist, a medical doctor, a dentist, and an ophthalmologist or optometrist. He completes and submits the two Statements of Authorization and the Application for Admission. He submits academic transcripts, two photos, the results of the HIV testing; the Reports of Physical, Eye, and Dental Examinations; the Certificates of Baptism and Confirmation; all other necessary canonical documents; five letters of reference; and a criminal background history report. The reports of the five interviewers, the results of psychological testing, and any official documents or transcripts are submitted directly to the Vocation Director. A checklist of all these materials is included in this packet. The Process may not reach its final stages until all materials have been submitted to the Director of Vocations.

In addition, the applicant should maintain personal diligence in each of the following areas: daily prayer, spiritual direction, the sacramental life of the Church, contact with a Jesuit community, service to the poor, and an intentional living of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
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The Autobiography and Resume

Before deciding whether to apply for admission to the Society of Jesus, a man does a good deal of reflecting, reading, praying, and questioning about the Society of Jesus. To that end, each applicant is asked to write an autobiography. It should be no longer than 15 pages, typed, paginated, double spaced, clipped, not stapled. The autobiography may be constructed in any appropriate way, but it should ultimately give the reader some sense of the applicant and how his life has been shaped. It should convey the personal and faith history that has brought the applicant to seek admission to the Society of Jesus at this point in his life.

Br. Charles J. Jackson, S.J., the Director of Vocations for the California Province, has written a reflection on the Spiritual Autobiography (pdf) as a guide for the the writing process. Included in Br. Jackson's reflection are some of these questions and topics that could help to shape the autobiography. These are not meant to be answered one after another, they are merely suggestions.

1. What are the significant turning points in the applicant's life?
2. Who have been, or are, the significant people in his life?
3. What was it like growing up in his family?
4. What was his experience of school? work?
5. What are some significant decisions he has made?
6. What are some of the struggles and conflicts with which he has dealt?
7. What does he consider his principle strengths and weaknesses?
8. What has been his experience of prayer and the Sacraments?
9. Which Scripture text best illustrates his relationship with Jesus?
10. How has his relationship with God developed over the years?
11. How does he understand the vows?
12. How does he understand the mission of the Society?
13. Why does he want to be a Jesuit? How has he come to that decision?

Download Br. Jackson's complete article.

A separate resume should be submitted at the same time as the autobiography. It should include the following:

1. Date of birth
2. All places & dates of residence
3. All places & dates of employment
4. All schools attended and degrees earned
5. All extra-curricular activities
6. All volunteer service
and Church ministries
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Making a Decision

After the Director receives the applicant’s completed file, he distributes it along with the applicant’s autobiography and resume, to a Jesuit Review Board. This Board reflects on the applicant’s materials and meets to discuss each application. The board consists of the Director and four other Jesuits.

After the Review Board meets, the Vocation Director gives the Provincial the applicant’s entire dossier, a summary of the Director's discernment, and the proceedings and recommendations of the Review Board. The Provincial makes a final discernment about admission and informs the Vocation Director. The Vocation Director then informs the applicant of the decision, and the Provincial communicates his decision in a formal letter.
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