Jesuit Journeys
Fall 2002
The Jesuit Partnership
A look at vocations then and now
 | Fr. Dick McGarrity, SJ
President, The Jesuit Partnership |
At this time of year I often find myself thinking about my early years as a Jesuit novice and scholastic. Our Ordination Mass in June, the first vows ceremony at the novitiate in August, and the arrival later in the month of our first-year novices - all these rekindle memories for me.
My journey down memory lane to my entrance into the novitiate in 1960 reminded me this year that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Yes, that may be a cliché, but, like most clichés, it's rooted in truth.
Many more of us were entering the novitiate in 1960. We wore cassocks most of the time. Now novices dress simply, but in no distinctive way. Silence was observed except when recreating or engaged in essential conversation. And all essential conversation was conducted in Latin. That tended to keep things really quiet. Nor were we allowed, except on special feast days and holidays, to talk at meals, clearly a time for conversation now.
We observed a rigid, monastic-like order from 5 a.m. on. Outside news was at a premium. There were no televisions or radios, and, of course, no computers or internet with which to tap into the outside world. Our novice master would update us once a week on world events. Later, when we studied philosophy, the daily newspaper was torn apart into single sheets and posted on the wall. We scrambled for our favorite pages every day, sharing both sides with several fellow novices all of whom jockeyed for position to get a clear view of the print.
There is a quiet order to novitiate life today. It is less rigid and allows for greater contact with the outside world. Furthermore, most novices were about 18 years old in my day. Now they're generally six or seven years older than that. Those of course are averages, depending on the year. And I admit to bumping the average age in my class upward a little. I entered at the ripe old age of 29. I left my car and suit at the door when I donned my cassock. In fact, as I have told many people before, when I arrived I was mistaken for a salesman.
Our 30-day retreat was a preached retreat. Today's 30-day retreats are personally directed. Generally, there is much more contact with the novice master. This makes for an environment where, on the one hand there is more personal freedom, while on the other, there is much more personal supervision.
At the same time, there remain many similarities. A novice today still either has or needs to develop a fundamental trust in God based on faith and his sense of vocation. These two years continue also to be a time of very deep spiritual formation through prayer. Household and room furnishings remain simple. Although novices no longer wear cassocks, their dress remains simple as well.
And while there may be more talking at meals, the food remains adequate but not exotic, and the house is expected to be generally silent during the day. The general atmosphere then, as now, is one of great peace, joy, and happiness in community life, with a personal concern for each other.
Thinking about it, the differences are largely external and superficial. The core of what it means to be a Jesuit remains the same. And while our numbers may be down, I sense an increased interest in religious life among young people today, and I am continually impressed by the quality of our young Jesuits.
The other thing that remains the same is the longstanding, unwavering support of our many friends and benefactors whose prayers and financial support allow us to maintain a standard of excellence in our formation program. We could not possibly train our young novices and scholastics today without your help. Just as I am grateful for the wonderful training I was blessed to receive as a novice and scholastic, so too are our young Jesuits of today grateful recipients of so much good will and generosity. On their behalf I thank all our Jesuit Partners for their unwavering support.
This has been a difficult year for us all, a year marked by terrorism, tragedy, and scandals - disappointment, pain and remorse. Your faith in the Society of Jesus and ongoing support of our Jesuit tradition is deeply cherished. We thank you from our hearts and remember you daily in our prayers and Masses.
For information on ways to support the Jesuits and their ministries, contact Mr. Jack Paquette,
vice president - development. Tele: 800-537-3736
Email: jack.paquette@jesuitswisprov.org
Return to Fall 2002 issue
Previous Article: Ignatian Spirituality: The Power of Prayer
|
