back
to top
Who are the Jesuits?
The Jesuits are one
of the largest religious orders in the Catholic Church. The Society
of Jesus was founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola, a Basque nobleman
and soldier, who found God in all things. Today there are over 20,000
Jesuits serving the Church in 112 nations on six continents. more...
Where do Jesuits work?
From the beginning Jesuits have been missionaries, teachers, spiritual
directors, scholars, carpenters, doctors and administrators. Jesuits
go where the needs of the Church are the greatest, caring for the people
of God and spreading the message of Christ's salvation to those who
do not know him. more...
back
to top
Where do Jesuits live?
Jesuits generally
live in community where there is a superior chosen by our Superior General
to lead the house. On occasion, because of apostolic necessity, a Jesuit
may receive permission to live in a diocesan rectory, or by himself.
more...
Do Jesuits wear a habit?
From our foundation
Jesuits have always worn the garb of "a priest in good standing,"
and we do not have a distinctive religious habit.
Do Jesuits pray
the Divine Office in common?
Saint Ignatius believed
Jesuits were to be men on mission, contemplatives in action. Therefore,
Jesuits pray the Divine Office privately and observe a rhythm of personal
prayer, which includes the Ignatian Examen, and forms of Ignatian
contemplation and meditation. more...
What is the difference
between a diocesan priest and a Jesuit priest?
A diocesan priest
commits himself to a specific geographical location and promises obedience
to the bishop
of the (arch)diocese. A priest who belongs to an order, like the
Jesuits, commits himself to the special charism of the Religious Order.
more...
back
to top
How long does it take to become a Jesuit?
A man becomes a Jesuit
when he professes vows after two years of novitiate. The formation program
to become a priest in the Society takes 11 years from the date of entrance
to the date of ordination. The formation of a Jesuit Brother is a bit
more individualized. more...
What are the entrance requirements?
A man who feels called
to enter the Jesuits must also be free to respond to that call. He must
be a Roman Catholic for at least three years, and have the ability to
complete advanced academic studies. He must be free from any attachments
or obligations. more...
If I don't live in the Maryland
or New York Provinces, can I still consider entering the novitiate there?
Jesuit Provinces
are not religious communities that are independent of other Jesuit Provinces.
Rather the Jesuits are one international religious order. Because of
this, men typically discern with the Jesuits nearest to them, even though
they may eventually enter any Province novitiate in the world. We encourage
men who are interested in the Maryland and New York Provinces to contact
us, and we will help facilitate discernment opportunities within
the man's local area. more...
Are there age restrictions?
Typically, we do
not accept anyone for admission to priestly ordination who is past the
age of 35. The formation of a Jesuit brother, though considerably more
flexible, requires that a man be no older than 50. more...
What is
the formation process?
Formation is the
process of becoming a Jesuit priest or brother, from an initial inquiry
to the profession of final vows. The fundamental thrust of our formation
is to prepare priests and brothers who are well educated, with skills
to minister in a diverse and ever changing environment. more...
What
is the application process and when does it begin?
After a period of
reflection and conversation, the Jesuits may invite a man to join in
a formal discernment program entitled, the
Jesuit Associates. After an appropriate period of discernment with
the Associates, a man may elect to apply for admission into the Novitiate.
more...
What
is spiritual direction?
Spiritual Direction
is the help that one person gives another to enable him or her to become
more conscious of how God is working in his or her life and how he or
she may become more responsive to God. more...
Can I
become a Jesuit if I have had some sexual experience?
Most dioceses and
religious orders will ask that a candidate live intentional celibacy
for two years before accepting a candidate into formation. We are looking
for men who are sexually integrated and who view their sexuality as
a gift of God. We want men who can enter into healthy relationships
of celibate love.
Can I become
a Jesuit if I am married or divorced?
Men who apply for
admission into the Jesuit novitiate must be free to make that election.
Married life implies a commitment that would limit a man's freedom to
enter religious life. Divorced men must be in possession of a canonical
Declaration of Nullity (an annulment) for at least three years before
they may apply to the Jesuits. Also, an applicant who has children who
are still minors or who depend on the applicant financially is not free
to enter religious life.
Can I
become a Jesuit if I have recently converted to Catholicism?
New relationships
take time. Faith is ultimately a relationship with God and a community,
and it also needs time to become an integrated part of a person's identity.
Therefore, we ask recent converts to wait three years before they are
admitted into the Society of Jesus.
back
to top
What should I know about the vows of poverty,
chastity and obedience?
St. Ignatius of Loyola
imagined religious life in non-conventional terms. His monastery was
the world; his prayer, to find God in all things; his work, whatever
helped people. In this setting, the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience
become instruments to enable Jesuits to do the work of God's realm.
more...
What is the difference between vows and Holy
Orders?
Holy Orders is a
sacrament in which a priest is called forth from a community and is
ordained by a bishop. A religious takes vows publicly in the presence
of his or her Superiors. Both commitments are perpetual commitments.
