History, Service
Becoming a Jesuit
- How long does it take to become a Jesuit?
- What are the entrance requirements?
- Are there age restrictions?
- If I don't live in the English Canada Province, can I still consider entering the novitiate there?
- What is the formation process?
- What is the application process and when does it begin?
- What is spiritual direction?
- Can I become a Jesuit if I have had some sexual experience?
- Can I become a Jesuit if I am married or divorced?
- Can I become a Jesuit if I have recently converted to Catholicism?
Lifestyle, Spirituality
- Where do Jesuits live?
- Do Jesuits wear a habit?
- Do Jesuits pray the Divine Office in common?
- What is the difference between a diocesan priest and a Jesuit priest?
Professing Vows
- What should I know about the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience?
- What is the difference between Vows and Holy Orders?
Most of the questions we receive are answered here or throughout this website.
If you have a different question please contact the Vocation Office - vocation@jesuits.ca.
Who are the Jesuits?
The Jesuits are one of the largest religious orders in the Catholic Church. The Society of Jesus was founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola, a Basque nobleman and soldier, who found God in all things. Today there are almost 18,000 Jesuits serving the Church in 112 nations on six continents. more...
Where do Jesuits work?
From the beginning Jesuits have been missionaries, teachers, spiritual directors, scholars, carpenters, doctors and administrators. Jesuits go where the needs of the Church are the greatest, caring for the people of God and spreading the message of Christ's salvation to those who do not know him. More...
How long does it take to become a Jesuit?
A man becomes a Jesuit when he professes vows after two years of novitiate. The formation program to become a priest in the Society usually takes about 10 years from the date of entrance to the date of ordination. The formation of a Jesuit brother is a bit more individualized. More...
What are the entrance requirements?
A man who feels called to enter the Jesuits must also be free to respond to that call. He must be a Roman Catholic for at least three years, and have the ability to complete advanced academic studies. He must be free from any attachments or obligations, and have sufficient mental, physical, social, and spiritual maturity and health to undertake religious life. More...
If I don't live in the English Canada Province, can I still consider entering the novitiate there?
Because the Jesuits are one international religious order, the ordinary practice in the Society is that men enter the Province where they live. If you wish to explore this further, please contact the Assistant for Vocations - vocation@jesuits.ca
Are there age restrictions?
The Church requires that a person be between the ages of 17 and 50. The experience of the Society is that older candidates need to demonstrate greater flexibility and adaptability in order to meet the demands of formation. As a result, and given the length of the formation process, we are less inclined to accept people over the age of 40 for priestly formation. However, decisions are made on an individual basis.
What is the formation process?
Formation is the process of becoming a Jesuit priest or brother, from an initial inquiry to the profession of final vows. The fundamental thrust of our formation is to prepare priests and brothers who are well educated, with skills to minister in a diverse and ever changing environment. More...
What is the application process and when does it begin?
After a sufficient period of reflection and conversation lasting up to a year or even more, if it appears that the person may well have a Jesuit vocation, the Assistant for Vocations will invite him to submit a formal letter requesting permission to enter the application and assessment process. More...
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is the process of assisting people to become more conscious of how God is working in their life and how they may become more responsive to God. More...
Can I become a Jesuit if I have had some sexual experience?
While virginity is not a prerequisite for admission, we expect that a candidate will have lived intentional celibacy for at least two years before we would accept him into formation. We are looking for men who have a healthy sense of their own sexuality and who view it as a gift of God to be used for His service. We want men who can enter into healthy relationships of celibate love.
Can I become a Jesuit if I am married or divorced?
Men who apply for admission into the Jesuit novitiate must be free to make that election. Married life implies a commitment that would limit a man's freedom to enter religious life. Divorced men must be in possession of a canonical Declaration of Nullity (an annulment), without imposed restrictions, for at least three years before they may apply to the Jesuits. Also, if an applicant has children, they must be over the age of 18 and not financially or otherwise dependent on the applicant.
Can I become a Jesuit if I have recently converted to Catholicism?
New relationships take time. Faith is ultimately a relationship with God and a community, and it also needs time to become an integrated part of a person's identity. Therefore, the Church requires recent converts to wait three years before they can be admitted to a religious community. The Society abides by this requirement.
Where do Jesuits live?
Jesuits generally live in community where there is a superior chosen by our Superior General to lead the house. On occasion, because of apostolic necessity, a Jesuit may receive permission to live outside of a community, but even then he is assigned as a member of an established community and is accountable to that local superior.
Do Jesuits wear a habit?
The rule of the Society, from its origins, is that we dress according to the practice of the local diocesan clergy. Hence, we do not have a distinctive garb.
Do Jesuits pray the Divine Office in common?
Saint Ignatius believed Jesuits were to be men on mission, contemplatives in action. Therefore, Jesuits pray the Divine Office privately and observe a rhythm of personal prayer, which includes the Ignatian Examen, and forms of Ignatian contemplation and meditation. It is not uncommon, however, for some communities to pray the Office in common occasionally.
What is the difference between a diocesan priest and a Jesuit priest?
While both receive the same sacrament of Holy Orders, diocesan priests work within their local diocese under the authority of their bishop, while Jesuit priests work under the authority of their provincial superior in whatever ministry is assigned to them. Also, diocesan priests do not pronounce vows beyond the promises that are part of the sacrament of orders, while Jesuit priests also pronounce the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
What should I know about the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience?
St. Ignatius of Loyola imagined religious life in non-conventional terms. His monastery was the world; his prayer, to find God in all things; his work, whatever helped people. In this setting, the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience become instruments to enable Jesuits to do the work of God's realm. More...
What is the difference between vows and Holy Orders?
Holy Orders is a sacrament in which a priest is called forth from a community and is ordained by a bishop. A religious takes vows publicly in the presence of his or her Superior. Both commitments are perpetual commitments.