Novitiate and First Vows

The first two years of Jesuit training (when a young Jesuit is called a “novice”) offers a series of “experiments” or experiences which help a man to confirm his call as a Jesuit, and help him to enter the Society of Jesus more fully.  Novices live and study in community, go on pilgrimages, work among the poor, teach catechism, study the life and writings of St Ignatius of Loyola and other foundational documents.  These experiences introduce him Jesuit life. Key to this time is the 30-day silent retreat, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, which leads a novice into an encounter with God who calls him.

After two years, a novice applies for his first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  After pronouncing these vows, he becomes a Jesuit scholastic (continuing to prepare for ministerial priesthood) or a Jesuit brother.

Preparing meals for the community is part of Novice life.

The classroom where the Jesuit Novices take classes with other novices from other religious communities.

The Novice community prays in the Chapel.

From Novice to Scholastic – the new Jesuit scholastics following their vow ceremony on August 11 at St Luke’s Church in St Paul, Minnesota.  They represent the Jesuit Provinces of Missouri, Wisconsin and Upper Canada.