Jesuit Life

[Piscator23]

Hi everyone! Let me start by talking a little bit about myself. Im 18 and a freshman studying Finance at Marquette University. I have been discerning priesthood on and off loosely for about 2 years now (seriously for 5 months). I’m very certain, especially as of late, i am being called to become a Jesuit. This idea consumes my every thought all day long, and i often spend many hours everyday praying, celebrating mass, and researching the life of priesthood. I am growing faily apathetic to my school work, and feel like i will only find happiness in serving the Lord. I do not know whether or not to continue my studies, or start formally discerning/applying to a Jesuit Novitiate (i am in contact with the vocations director). What would you advise? (i know i will still need to school much later while becoming a Jesuit, which i definately am ok with).

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Hi everyone! Let me start by talking a little bit about myself. Im 18 and a freshman studying Finance at Marquette University. I have been discerning priesthood on and off loosely for about 2 years now (seriously for 5 months). I’m very certain, especially as of late, i am being called to become a Jesuit. This idea consumes my every thought all day long, and i often spend many hours everyday praying, celebrating mass, and researching the life of priesthood. I am growing faily apathetic to my school work, and feel like i will only find happiness in serving the Lord. I do not know whether or not to continue my studies, or start formally discerning/applying to a Jesuit Novitiate (i am in contact with the vocations director). What would you advise? (i know i will still need to school much later while becoming a Jesuit, which i definately am ok with).

If you are serious I would continue on your road and work with your vocations director.

There are many Jesuit regions in the US, some may be a better fit than others.
jesuitvocation.org/USA%20Map/USA_imagemap.html

jesuit.org/BecomingJesuit/default.aspx

With any priestly vocation, (religious or diocese), they prefer you to finish your undergraduate degree before anything else. That gives you more time to decide (e.g. continue on a philosophy major or similar) and them more time to evaluate you.

I would find ways to interact with different Jesuits across the country and across the world. Go to outreach events (e.g. during the summer) and full immersion weekends at the order houses.

That gives you and them the best idea of your true vocation if it is with them or someplace else, in a religious setting or not.

 

[onetruechurch]

Ring out Ahoya with an M U rah rah!

I graduated from Marquette way back in the conservative days and loved every minute of it. The Jesuits really know how to teach philosophy and theology. They have a reputaion of attracting the bright scholars to their order. Then, they have to spend time teaching the seminarians patience and humility because they think they know it all.

I am hoping and praying that the Jesuits will continue to teach the truth and not become too liberal. Father Mitch Pacwa of EWTN is a very humble and conservative Jesuit. I would write to him for guidance. Also, Scott Hahn was converted to Catholicism right there at Marquette University when he started to go to the basement of Gesu for the noon hour masses.

God bless you for considering the priesthood! I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[JesuitLoyola]

If you think you might be called, you should definitely look into it. This kind of desire is something that God can write on our hearts so that we can do good for the kingdom. My spiritual director once told me, if you feel God is calling you to a vocation and your motivations are in the right place, you probably are called. Many are, the question is, will you answer?

 

[Piscator23]

Thanks for all your posts. And yes, I WILL answer the call! But, i am confused and do not know what to do, finish 3 more years of schooling or not. Marquette is expensive, and i am not exactly full of money. If i feel i am called, my question is would my time, energy and money be better invested in something that would lead me toward that calling?

 

[JesuitLoyola]

Start looking into the Jesuits. Trust me they are HUGE on education and if you are accepted money won’t ever be an issue on continuing in college. I would suggest you keep going in school and finish up WHILE keeping in touch and going through the beginning of the process to join the order. Honestly, Jesuits are known for being the ones who have a P.h.d. once joining the order and then going back to get another 2 or 3 in different areas of study

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi I am growing faily apathetic to my school work, and feel like i will only find happiness in serving the Lord. I do not know whether or not to continue my studies, or start formally discerning/applying to a Jesuit Novitiate (i am in contact with the vocations director). What would you advise? (i know i will still need to school much later while becoming a Jesuit, which i definately am ok with).

continue studying, since most Jesuits are noted for their application to academics, and continue discerning your vocation. If you become a Jesuit you are looking at a minimum of 12 more years of academic study, so this is not the time to become apathetic about it.

 

[StatCrux]

Just to echo what another poster said- the Jesuits are big on higher education. Are you prepared to get a graduate degree (maybe even a PhD) in theology or a related subject? That is a whole lot more schooling. If the answer is “yes,” then the Jesuits may be for you. If not, maybe you are being called to a different religious order or the diocesan priesthood?