Years of experience shape final steps in formal training

FR. PATRICK DORSEY, SJ

Although a Jesuit’s formation never really ends, Tertianship and Final Vows are two steps in the final stage of the formal formation process. Many people are unaware of these important moments of Jesuit life because they come after ordination for priests and follow years of ministry for Brothers. In Tertianship, Jesuits are asked to undertake a year of reflection (sometimes spread over parts of two years) to see more deeply how God has loved, blessed, and guided them. St. Ignatius called this period a “school of the heart” because it offers the Jesuit a chance to integrate all his experiences through an encounter with Christ in another 30-day retreat, deeper study of Jesuit foundational documents, and the undertaking of pastoral assignments. Final Vows come a year or two later. Those who have integrated the graces of the Spiritual Exercises and the charism of Jesuit spirituality into their daily lives are invited to pronounce Final Vows and be fully incorporated members of the Society of Jesus.

With gratitude, I professed my final vows last October before a chapel filled with family and friends. Surrounded by this loving support, I placed myself at the foot of the altar and asked for God’s blessing that I may continue to open my eyes and my heart in order that I can listen to the people of God and let them teach me what it means to be a priest.

How fitting that this thought should resonate so strongly with me at this moment.

“Let the people of God teach you what it means to be a priest.” I first heard these words while on retreat just before my ordination to the priesthood in June 1996. Since then I have been working with and among the students, faculty and staff as a campus minister at Marquette University in Milwaukee. This work places me in many situations in which I often look back and draw on my experiences during formation.

Fr. Patrick Dorsey, SJ concelebrates at his Final Vows Mass with Fr. Tom Krettek, SJ and Fr. Provincial James Grummer, SJ.

Listening to these experiences and the people with whom I work makes me feel like I’m never working alone. These words never fail to help open my heart and allow me to also listen to how best I can serve God.

The wisdom gained by listening proved especially helpful to me during the summers of 2001 and 2002 when I entered the period of Jesuit formation that comes years after ordination – Tertianship.

Tertianship afforded me additional time to reflect on my work and the many ways I interact with others, time to step back and see how God continues calling me to serve Him. The process involved attending a two-summer program, during which I was one of 12 Jesuits from around the country and around the world. Each brought his unique relationship to the group.

Tertianship comes from a Latin term for "third" – indicating the third year of our novitiate experience. In that first summer, just as we had done in our first year as novices, some 15 or so years earlier, we made the Spiritual Exercises together and joined in on classes to discuss the Society of Jesus and talk about its governance. With Jesuits from all over the world, our conversations were rich with personal and cultural experiences.

The Exercises are a gift to the Church from St. Ignatius. Tertianship typically is the second occasion in a Jesuit’s life devoted to making the Exercises. The power behind praying in silence became very clear. For 30 days, we ate together, prayed together at Mass, reflected together, and took advantage of the retreat house and the special places one could be alone with the Lord, all of which were done in celebrated silence.

Fr. Dorsey pronounces Final Vows.

This was a time to think about how we got to where we are today through the loving support of family and friends. When praying with the Kingdom Meditation, for example, it was easy to reflect, recall, and imagine myself among all the co-workers, students, fellow Jesuits, and other people who have entered my life to help me define and develop my God-given skills, talents and abilities. During times like this, one is able to see how God is using us to serve Him. With each passing day, I found myself holding a desire to know St. Ignatius by visiting his home and understanding his heart.

During our second summer, 4 men from our group of 12 went to Europe and followed the footsteps of St. Ignatius.We traveled throughout Spain and visited Paris and Rome. The Jesuits in these different parts of Europe demonstrated for us a great sense of hospitality. Each and every place we visited welcomed us as pilgrims on a sacred journey.

This sense of hospitality helped us focus on the purpose of the trip and recognize how and why St. Ignatius lived as he did. There was a great deal of fervor in his pursuit to know God. It also was clear that he too was very hospitable to those around him, whether of nobility or a homeless person.With Spain offering such a rich history of his past, our short-lived experience in that country seemed that much more intense.

Manresa surprised me as one of my favorite places because, though simple in nature, it had a profound influence on the life of St. Ignatius. There in the basement of this rather large building sits the cave, now converted into a chapel, where Ignatius wrote The Spiritual Exercises. I was struck by the smallness of the space. Before actually visiting there, I had seen it only in pictures and always imagined it as a large room paying tribute to a man who gave such a wonderful gift to the Church, The Spiritual Exercises.

While there, we celebrated Mass at the altar and reflected on the graces of the moment before continuing on our journey, which took us to St. Ignatius’ home in Loyola, Spain.

The home rests in a valley and offers a contemplative view of life.What St. Ignatius saw as important began to make sense to me while standing on the back stairs of the very house he grew up in, looking up at the very mountains he gazed upon in his youth. He had a great appreciation for God's grandeur and a love for people. He was a man drawn to the city but knew what the country could offer him, balance in his life. I could readily see how St. Ignatius became a person who saw not only the importance of service but also the regenerative value of reflection.

Fr. Patrick Dorsey, SJ receives congratulations after his Final Vows Mass and gathers later (right) with family and friends.

After following the footsteps of St. Ignatius, I find myself more grounded in what it means to serve the people of God.When looking at the life of Ignatius, it seems clear why he felt that in order to serve people best, it is important to engage people where they are, as they live. It is a model worthy of emulating in my work at Marquette.

When sitting at a table with a student and listening to his most recent experience, I can hear the questions surrounding his heart from what he did over the weekend. When meeting with a young woman for spiritual direction, I hear of her concerns about the future and which career path she would like to follow. The more I come to know our students, the more I realize how hungry they are to know the God who loves them, and the more I see their deepening desire to develop a better relationship with our God.

Tertianship and Final Vows have helped me focus on all the gifts I have been given as a Jesuit, especially the gift of The Spiritual Exercises and a vocation that allows me the privilege of witnessing how God speaks to all of us through our hearts.

As I listen to friends, listen to strangers, listen to students, I continue to allow them, as people of God, to teach me what it means to be a priest.