Steps in Our Formation

To be a Jesuit is, above all, learning to live in God's presence.  Such a life challenges us to pray, to make practical decisions in the light of the gospel and to love as Christ loved.  Formation is something we allow God to do - gently, truthfully, consistently.  Our formation helps us become in all our humanity an instrument united to God in order to love the world and its people.

The average length of Jesuit formation is about 10 years, depending on the man's background and course of studies.

• The novitiate is the first stage of Jesuit formation.  The novice begins to live the life of the vows in community and learns the traditions, rules and expectations of the Society.  During this time he makes the Spiritual Exercises in a thirty-day retreat and engages in a variety of “experiments,” some of which involve service to the very poor and needy.  At the end of this two-year period of prayer, work and study, he pronounces perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience either as a brother or as a scholastic who will prepare for priestly ordination.

• With these vows Jesuit scholastics and brothers normally begin a three-year period of philosophy and theology studies.  If the man has not yet received a bachelor’s degree, he studies for that at this time.  He may also be asked to use this time to begin graduate work in a field of specialization. Visit the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in Berkeley, California and Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  In the United States, there are three Jesuit First Studies programs: Fordham University in New York City (to meet the Jesuits at Fordham U. Ciszek Hall visit www.fordham.edu/ciszek/meet_the_community.htm), Loyola University - Chicago, and St. Louis University.

• Regency is the next period of formation.  The Jesuit works for two or three years in a school or other approved apostolate and lives in an apostolic community.

• After regency, Jesuit scholastics begin an intensive three-year study of theology which leads to priestly ordination.  This may be followed either by full-time apostolic work or specialized studies.

• After completing his theological studies and some further active ministry, the Jesuit completes his formal formation of prayer, guidance and studies with tertianship.  After the tertianship period, the Jesuit is called to final vows in the Society of Jesus.

Tertianship Programs

Summer Programs