香蕉秀

Have Boston College students gone on to become Jesuits?

Absolutely! In fact, in the past 20 years, at least 10 alumni have entered the Society of Jesus. Many say the charism, community, and traditions of 香蕉秀 helped support their vocation to the priesthood. Learn more about their journeys by reading聽Paths to the Priesthood.

What's the difference between a Jesuit and a Diocesan priest?

Good question. Jesuits are members of a religious missionary order (the Society of Jesus) and Diocesan priests are members of a specific diocese (e.g. the Archdiocese of Boston). Both are priests who live out their work in different ways. Learn more in this聽聽from our friends at the Jesuit Post.

What are the stages of formation in becoming a Jesuit?

A man is usually welcomed into the Society in August, on Entrance Day, and the formation process can take anywhere from eight to 13 years to become a Jesuit priest or brother.

A Jesuit鈥檚 formation begins in the novitiate, where he spends two years learning how to pray, how to live in community, and about the Society of Jesus. Novices also do apostolic work and make the 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Essentially, in the novitiate, a man learns how to be a Jesuit. At the end of the two years, he pronounces perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

After professing First Vows, a Jesuit moves into academic work as a brother or a scholastic (a man who is preparing for priesthood). He studies philosophy at a Jesuit university (including our own聽School of Theology and Ministry), usually for three years. Additional ministerial work further deepens his Jesuit identity. Some scholastics and brothers are missioned to finish work on their bachelor鈥檚 degrees, while others work on advanced degrees in philosophy or other subjects.

Philosophy studies help ground a Jesuit in his critical thinking. Studying the ancient, medieval, and modern philosophers helps a Jesuit make sense of the world around him and articulate for the people of God what it means to be human, and what it means to be Catholic.

Then, in Regency, a Jesuit brother or scholastic works full-time in a Jesuit ministry, living in an apostolic community of Jesuits, usually for three years. Often teaching at a Jesuit high school or university, the regent learns to balance full-time apostolic work with a life of prayer and community living.

After completing regency, Jesuit scholastics (men preparing for priestly ordination) study theology at the graduate level, usually for three years. A Jesuit brother might study theology for a shorter time as a way to enhance his effectiveness for ministry.

During theology studies, a scholastic is ordained as a deacon and after completing theology studies, he is ordained to the priesthood, marking the end of about a decade of study and preparation and making him available for his first assignment as a Jesuit priest. After a Jesuit brother finishes theology studies he enters ministry, or he might go on to earn another advanced degree.

Tertianship is a time of renewal. A Jesuit revisits the foundational documents and history of the Society of Jesus and makes the 30-day Spiritual Exercises again鈥攊n a sense reaffirming his vocation.

The formation process ends with the pronunciation of final vows.

Information adapted from聽聽and the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

Who can I talk to about becoming a Jesuit?

We鈥檒l get you in touch with a Jesuit who can talk with you about the Society; simply e-mail us at聽ministry@bc.edu聽or come by the Manresa House to learn more! There are many Jesuits at 香蕉秀 who would be happy to sit with you and talk about their own discernment.

How can I learn about the Loyola House?

Men interested in continuing to discern joining the Jesuits might consider living in the聽Loyola House, a residential program for students. Interested students can e-mail Fr. Casey Beaumier, S.J., University Vice President, at聽casey.beaumier@bc.edu.