Collaborate with Us
Would you like to work with us or support us in any way to care for the poor and needy?
Get in Touch
Join the Jesuits
7 Qualities to be a Jesuit
Openness: We must approach the decision in question with an open mind and an open heart
Generosity: To give and not to Count the cost
Courage: Being a man of Magis- Doing things for God's Greater Glory
Interior Freedom: Placing your total faith and trust in God
A Habit of Prayerful Reflection on One's Experience: Discernment
Having One's Priorities Straight: Clear Focus and Strong Will
Not Confusing Ends with Means: Knowing the difference between wants and needs
Jesuit formation, or the training of Jesuits, seeks to prepare candidates for the Roman Catholic Society of Jesus spiritually, academically and practically for the ministries they will be called to offer the Church and world. The following are the main stages of Jesuit Formation.
Novitiate: A man is a Jesuit the day he enters the novitiate. (The word "novitiate" can refer to both this period of formation and the building in which the formation takes place.) And here's the first common mistake that journalists make: You don't become a Jesuit when you take vows or when you are ordained; you are one on entrance day.
First Vows: A Jesuit pronounces (makes, takes) his First Vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) at the conclusion of his two years of novitiate, during a Vow Mass. Technically, the Jesuit is promising to enter the Society fully, at the end of his training. (And you have been living the vows since entrance date.) The man is then a vowed Jesuit or "has vows." Each stage of formation (including entrance and approval for First Vows) is predicated on the approval by the provincial (and the further you get in formation, that may also include approval by the Jesuit superior general, and for ordination, the Vatican).
First Studies: At one of several Jesuit universities across the country, the Jesuits, now scholastics (or brothers), study philosophy and theology and work a few perhaps 10 to 15 hours a week in ministry in a First Studies program.
Regency: The Jesuit (again, either the brother or scholastic) works full time in a Jesuit ministry for generally two to three years. Or longer, depending on the decision of the man's provincial. (One well known case had a Jesuit spending six years in regency: not surprisingly, he was known for the rest of his life as "Sextus.") They are called regents.
Theology: Both brothers and scholastics study theology at the graduate level. They are often called theologians. A brother’s formal studies may end here—but may not, since some brothers might go onto another advanced degree.
Diaconate: Jesuit scholastics are ordained to the transitional diaconate (rather than the “permanent diaconate” for married men.) They are now members of the clergy (and not before, though usually for work or formal occasions they will wear clerics or clerical garb.) The men about to be ordained (this is true for the diaconate and priesthood, in both diocesan life and religious orders) are theordinandi.
Priesthood: Despite many people calling all Jesuits “Father” way before this, a Jesuit is not ordained until this point, after many years of formation. (He is still, by the way, a scholastic, and will be until his final vows.) The Jesuit does not pronounce any further vows at ordination, though he makes a series of ordination promises.
Tertianship: The final stage in Jesuit formation, the so-called “third stage of probation,” comes after the priest or brother has worked for several years after completing his studies (for the brother), or after his studies and ordination (for the priest). The man participates in a (usually) year-long program of spiritual training, which includes making the full Spiritual Exercises again. He is called a tertian.
Final Vows: Both Jesuit brothers and priests are, at the conclusion of tertianship, and pending approval from the provincial and the Jesuit superior general, invited to pronounce (make, take) final vows. All make three vows (poverty, chastity and obedience, re-affirming the First Vows) and some Jesuits make a "fourth vow" (special obedience to the Pope “with regard to missions.”) The shorthand difference between First and Final Vows (which is unusual for religious orders) is that in the First Vows you are promising to enter the Society; in the Final Vows the Society is now ratifying that offering.
Do you wish to dedicate your life to God,
in service of his people?
Make a difference. Join the Jesuits!
Get in Touch
Announcements
Updates
News: Goa
| A Christmas Program for Seniors that radiates warmth, love, and the joy Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2023 - ⛪On December 12th, a delightful Christmas program unfolded for the senior... Read More |
| Subroto cup U-14 State Champions - Loyola High School Margao Posted on Monday, August 28, 2023 - The sensational match between the two Jesuit Institutions, St. Britto's High... Read More |
| St. Britto Eco Club Workshop on #Maka Naka Plastic Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2023 - The St. Britto Eco Club, in collaboration with the Department of Science and... Read More |
| Intra-School Konkani and Marathi Singing Competition at St. BRITTO HIGH SCHOOL Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2023 - The Intra-School Singing Competition held at St. BRITTO HIGH SCHOOL was a... Read More |
| In tune with the nature. Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2023 - The Scouts of Loyola High School, Margao, caring for the common home, the... Read More |
| Independence Day celebrations at St Brittos School, Mapusa Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - The Independence Day celebrations were organised at our school. The event was a... Read More |
| Loyola High School, Margao - Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola Posted on Friday, July 28, 2023 - The fervour of the feast day has already set at Loyola High School, Margao.... Read More |
| St. Britto High School, Mapusa - Goa celebrates Van Mahotsav Posted on Friday, July 14, 2023 - Bharat Scouts of St. Britto High School, Mapusa - Goa celebrated Van Mahotsav... Read More |
| The PTA of St. Britto High School, Mapusa Posted on Monday, July 10, 2023 - The PTA of St. Britto High School, Mapusa, organized a talk cum awareness... Read More |
| Workshop held for the teaching and non-teaching staff of Loyola High School, Margao. Posted on Monday, July 10, 2023 - A workshop held for the teaching and non-teaching staff of Loyola High School,... Read More |
| Green Ray Foundation planted 10 saplings at Xavier Center of Historical Research Porvorim Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - Green Ray Foundation planted 10 saplings at XCHR, to spread awareness of... Read More |
News: Belgaum
| Discover was the theme of Vocation Camp Held at Belgavi Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - From 18-20 there was a Vocation Camp organized at Xavier Training Center, Desur... Read More |
| Eco Friendly Rakshabandhan Celebrated at St Pauls Belgavi Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2023 - The students and staff of the St. Paul's Institutions and other schools began... Read More |
| Exploring Our Community : A Fun Learning Journey! St. Paul's High School - Belgaum Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2023 - The Upper Kindergarten students went on a cool field trip to learn about our... Read More |
| Creativity, Unity, and Gratitude: The Resounding Success of the Ignatius Feast Celebration Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - On July 29th, 2022, our institution joyously celebrated the Ignatius Feast, a... Read More |
| BE AN ECO WARRIOR Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - A JHEASA West Zone Initiative Held at Xavier Training College,... Read More |
| Freshers' Day at St. Paul's P.U. College Belgavi Posted on Sunday, July 9, 2023 - St. Paul's PU College organized an exciting Freshers' Day program on 6th July... Read More |
| Joyous Celebration of St. Paul's Feast Day 2023 Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - The celebrations of our patron saint – St. Paul, commenced on 28th June ... Read More |
| An Orientation Programme at St Paul's High School, Khanapur, Karnataka. Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - A half day orientation programme was held for the staff of 4 of our Jesuit... Read More |
| Inauguration of new Computer lab & house on the occasion of 'Ignatian Year'. Posted on Monday, June 26, 2023 - Inauguration of a newly built house on the occasion of 'Ignatian Year' and a... Read More |
| Shramik Abhivrudhi Sangh /Jana Jagaran (SAS/JJ) and Xavier Farm Posted on Monday, September 12, 2022 - Shramik Abhivrudhi Sangh /Jana Jagaran (SAS/JJ) continues its toil among the... Read More |
.jpg)
| Help to Covid Patients through Covid Care Unit Posted on Monday, August 2, 2021 - Shramik Abhivrudhi Sangh (SAS), commonly known as Jana Jagaran, is a social... Read More |
News: Maharashtra
| News from Ratnagiri - Our Lady of Miracles Church Posted on Friday, August 25, 2023 - Every year the youth of the parish are taken for a monsoon pleasure trip. This... Read More |
| Happenings at Our Lady of Miracles Church, Ratnagiri. Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2023 - As a fallout of the previous meetings of the pastors in Ratnagiri a Legal... Read More |
| House was blessed in the Ratnagiri Mission, Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2023 - On the 12th July 2023, a house was blessed and handed over to Mr. Cyril... Read More |
| Throwing Life Out of Gear: COVID 19 and Floods Updated on Friday, August 6, 2021 - The Ratnagiri Mission covers the areas of Chiplun, Harnai, Khed and Ratnagiri,... Read More |
