Is there such a thing as a Jesuit Brother Dentist?

[ScrupulousMonk]

Pardon me for my ignorance, but is there such a thing as a Jesuit Brother Dentist? I am considering joining the Jesuits after I graduate from Dental School. I would just like to know if my skills would be utilized by the Church and if it is ok to finish my schooling before I join (like I said, I am just considering).

I thank you all in advance.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

You’d really have to talk with the Jesuits to explore whether this would be a possibility. There are certainly Jesuit brothers. And Jesuits have a variety of jobs/occupations including an astronomer and a physician. My opinion is that the Jesuits seem good about using your talents, gifts, and abilities, but with all religious, ultimately it comes down to what they need you to do at a particular time.

 

[Patti_M]

I would think the Jesuits would be very eager to have a dentist counted among them. You might even be required to travel!!

 

[Memaw]

Pardon me for my ignorance, but is there such a thing as a Jesuit Brother Dentist? I am considering joining the Jesuits after I graduate from Dental School. I would just like to know if my skills would be utilized by the Church and if it is ok to finish my schooling before I join (like I said, I am just considering).

I thank you all in advance.

My husbands Cardiologist was a Mercy Nun. She was a Dr. before she even became a Catholic and continued practicing. God Bless, Memaw

 

[JasonLovesJesus]

Pardon me for my ignorance, but is there such a thing as a Jesuit Brother Dentist? I am considering joining the Jesuits after I graduate from Dental School. I would just like to know if my skills would be utilized by the Church and if it is ok to finish my schooling before I join (like I said, I am just considering).

I thank you all in advance.

I found a couple links for you to check out:

A dental clinic which appears to be tied in with Jesuits: jesuitpartners.org/site/News2?id=6695

A University tied in with Jesuits: creighton.edu/dentalschool/

finally, Jesuit brothers in all sorts of jobs: njbc.com/sometimes-our-hearts-desire-more-than-a-job/sometimes-our-hearts-desire-more-than-a-job-cont/

From the above site:
Br. Jim Boynton, S.J. was raised in St. Ignace, Michigan. He entered the Jesuits in 1987, and took final vows in 2003. As a Jesuit, Jim has taught high school in India, Nepal, Cleveland, and Detroit and has served as the vocation director for the Detroit Province. Jim has organized and led numerous medical mission trips to Guatemala and Honduras and traveled with groups of Jesuit novices to Peru for their introduction to the culture and immersion in the language. From 1996-2008, Jim coordinated a program providing English-as-a-second-language classes, medical and legal assistance, and social opportunities to summer migrant workers from Mexico, the Philippines and Jamaica on Mackinac Island, Michigan. In November 2009 Jim was assigned to education work in Haiti. After the devastating earthquake of January 2010 Jim worked with Team Rubicon, a medical relief organization made up of former military medical personnel, many of whom had Jesuit connections. Jim’s current assignment is at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, where he teaches in the History Department.

 

[ScrupulousMonk]

I thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut, but I can not help but feel that your answers are more educated guesses than factual information. I know you all provided me links and examples of religious members, but I do not think these are direct answers.

I will see if I can not email the Jesuits or Jesuit Brothers directly with this question; however, I would still like to hear more comments from the Catholic Answers Community.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think you’re right that they’re educated guesses. I sincerely doubt that there are any Jesuit brother dentists on CAF.

There aren’t a huge number of Jesuit brothers compared to priests so that’s already a minority within the group. And then add in a very specific area like dentistry and there may not be any at all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be the first (or the first in a long time).

Contacting the Jesuits directly would be your best bet. I know that they’re very willing to talk with inquirers. They can put you in touch with a spiritual director to help you discern your vocation and they have retreats and “come and sees” so that you can learn more about them. It’s a chance for you to get to know them better while they also get to know you better.