When a man finishes the novitiate, he takes his vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Jesuits who are going on to studies that lead to priestly ordination are called scholastics. Some men are brothers, who serve the Church in a variety of ways, with the exception of sacramental ministry. The period of first studies allows the newly-vowed Jesuit a time to integrate his intellectual and spiritual growth.
In the United States, scholastics and brothers usually enroll at Fordham University in New York, Loyola University Chicago, or Saint Louis University. Others might study abroad. Some men may finish work on a bachelor’s degree, while most others work on a master’s degree in philosophy, and all begin their study of theology. While study is their principal apostolate during these years, they also serve the ministry needs of the local church, perhaps assisting in prison chaplaincy or staffing a homeless shelter.
Pierre earned a bachelor’s in foreign service at Georgetown University and a master’s in peace studies at Uppsala University in Sweden. The Jesuits taught him a way of listening to God and walking with his people. Over the past decade, he has organized and advocated for community development, immigration services and integral disarmament. A Rotarian, he is drawn to diverse peoples, cultures and languages in the spirit of fraternity. Pierre enjoys both movement and stillness. He is currently studying at ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, Mexico.
