Once You Join...

The Society of Jesus believes in future. It brings up a powerful, creative and healthy generation to take care of its future initiatives. And divine providence has been favourable to this faith of the Jesuits. Our young men are formed with utmost care. From the time they express their desire to follow Christ in the Society of Jesus, accompaniment is given so that they are directed properly to arrive at decisions proper to that person. Every person is valuable and every way of life is sacred. Therefore, the Society takes extra care not to make any mistake regarding the choice of life made by our candidates.

Pre Novitiate

Once a candidate decides to join the Jesuits, we have a one-year training programme combined with a come-and-see experience. It is called the Pre-Novitiate. In the Pre-Novitiate, along with basic knowledge about the spirituality and proceedings of the Society of Jesus, training in English, study skills, soft skills, public speaking, games, etc. are provided. In short, candidates are made ready to join the Novitiate. Presently, Kerala Prenovitiate is situated at Christ Hall, Calicut.

To Know more about the Pre-Novitiate, Click here.

Novitiate

Novitiate is for prayer and self discovery. In the Society, it represents Manresa- the cave where St. Ignatius dicovered himself with the help of God. These two years of calm, serene and silent life away from the troubles of the world makes a young man ready to decide about his life. Whether to give in or to give up. During the course of these two years, novices undergo training in spirituality, methods of prayer, community life, etc. At the end of the Novitiate, they commit themselves to God, pledging their loyalty to God and his Church on earth. Presently, our novices are at Anand Jyothi, Guntur and Sadhanalaya at Nashik, Bombay.

Juniorate

The next stage is called Juniorate. It is a 10 month long intensive training in Classical English and Jesuit life style. The young, fervant, committed Jesuits come together from different backgrounds and interact together to learn and prepare themselves for the future. Our Juniorate-Vidyaniketan is presently on St. Xavier's College Campus, Thumba, Trivandrum.

College Studies

After Juniorate, those Jesuits who have not completed their Graduation are send to Colleges and Universities. They take studies as their mission of that age and do well in studies. There is no subject Jesuits haven't studied. From Arts, Languages, Science and Engineering to Videography and Finearts Jesuits try their hands on.

Presently, our College going Juniors are at Loyola College- Chennai and St. Aloysius College- Mangalore.

Philosophy

After Graduation young Jesuits are send for training in Philosophy. During Philosophy studies, their critical thinking, ability to think out of the box, etc are enhanced. They gain wider perspectives on many issues. Some of them take to writing and publishing in that stage itself. It is usually at that stage that the young Jesuits recognize their vocation within their vocation. This, in consultation with the Provincial will lead to further training in respective fields. Our Philosophy centres are Satyanilayam- Chennai and De Nobili Colelge- Pune.

Regency

Regency is a stage where Jesuits live in apostolic communities and experience actual Jesuit life in action. Regency can be in many fields such as education, formation, house management, infirmary, etc. Most of the young Jesuits prove their mettle during this stage. They emerge out of regency as confident and strong men. Presently, we have our men doing regency even in Ireland!

Higher Studies

Jesuits are assigned to study further according to the orientation the Province has given to him. Presently, we have Jesuits studying at Loyola College- Chennai, St. Xavier's College- Palayamkottai and The English and Foreign Languages University- Hyderabad.

Theology

This is the final stage of formation. This is a three and a half year long formation programme. During this programme, Jesuits are made familiar and well versed in the teachings of the Church, Scriptures and the Sacraments. At the end of Theology, they are ordained by a Bishop and are consecrated into priesthood. We have two National Theology centres- Vidyajyoti- Delhi and De Nobili- Pune. We also have a Regional Theology Centre- Sameeksh- Kalady.

After ordination, Jesuits are placed in different apostolic centres to serve the people of God.

Tertianship

A few year after the ordination, Jesuits go through another short trainig called Tertianship, where their spiritual life is revamped and are made to ready to preach retreats and guide people spiritually. This is a gift received by the Society from St. Ignatius- Directing people in their spiritual journey.

Jesuits- young and old- students and professionals work with one ideal in heart, i.e., MAGIS. MAGIS meant much for St. Ignatius. It means doing everything for the greater glory of god. Mediocrity has no place in the life of a Jesuit. All For the Greater Glory of God- AMDG.