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 about 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 a sense of the applicant and
how his life and vocation have 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, SJ,
former Director of Vocations for the California
Province, has written a
reflection on the Spiritual Autobiography (pdf) as
a guide for the writing process. Included in
Br. Jackson's reflection are some questions
and topics that could help to shape the autobiography.
These are not meant to be answered one after another,
they are merely suggestions.
- What are the significant turning points in
the applicant's life?
- Who have been, or are, the significant people
in his life?
- What was it like growing up in his family?
- What has been his experience
of school? Of work?
- What are some significant decisions he has
made?
- What are some of the struggles and conflicts
with which he has dealt?
- What does he consider his
principal strengths and weaknesses?
- What has been his experience
of prayer and the Sacraments?
- How has his relationship with God developed
over the years?
- How does he understand the
three vows?
- How does he understand the mission of the Society?
- 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:
- Date of birth
- All places & dates
of residence
- All places & dates
of employment
- All schools attended and
degrees earned
- All extra-curricular activities
- 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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