September 3, 2024 — On Saturday, August 17, the Jesuits West Province welcomed seven new novices at the Jesuit Novitiate of the Three Companions in Culver City, California. The province’s newest Jesuits gathered for the Entrance Day photo behind the novitiate’s boulder, posing in the same way as their novice forebearers have done for years.
Two weeks after they entered the novitiate, the novices completed their First Probation with the Mass of Investiture, which reflects an ancient custom in religious life when candidates take another step in their vocation and formally become novices with the letters nSJ after their names.
The new novices come from a variety of backgrounds and represent the diversity of the province. But according to vocation director Father Radmar Jao, SJ, the novices have something important in common. “They are all men who desire to be of service to the Church and to the world. They each have a heart for service and for community, and they are very prayerful men.”
Fr. Jao, who leads a six-member vocation team, says that the team works to create space to invite men to have a deeper relationship with Christ and a deeper relationship with the Society of Jesus. “It’s about building relationships with our Jesuit high schools and parishes, so the work of vocation promotion is done locally and by coordinating with our Jesuit communities. It often happens because of a relationship that we already have with a teacher who sees a student who might be a wonderful Jesuit. We rely on those teachers to perhaps plant a need that is nurtured over time.”
Meet the Novices
John “JP” Misheff, nSJ
Canton, Ohio
JP recently graduated with honors from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s in philosophy and religion. He hails from Ohio but has lived in large cities and rural towns in five states and three countries. He has been a teacher’s apprentice, a chef, a journalist, a DJ, an art consultant and, most recently, a cantor at his home parish in Berkeley, California. JP loves slow walks along high ridgelines, hosting radio shows on whatever frequency is available, and making and listening to music.
Connor Murphy, nSJ
San Jose, California
Connor received a bachelor’s in English with a minor in religious studies from the University of California, Davis. He taught middle schoolers social studies and religion at St. Joseph Catholic School in Mountain View, California. He was also a catechist at St. Christopher Parish in San Jose and St. James Parish in Davis. Meeting Jesuits while discerning his vocation in college influenced his decision to join the Society. Connor enjoys reading biographies, cooking, baking, watching historical dramas and journaling.
Nhat Nguyen, nSJ
Portsmouth, Virginia
Nhat has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and philosophy from James Madison University and a master’s in theology from St. Mary’s Seminary & University. He was rector of Duncan Hall at the University of Notre Dame for 10 years, sharing life’s highs and lows with residents. Nhat loves to travel and has visited 20 states and 10 countries. He also enjoys visits with family and friends, golf, service to others, and power sports, including riding motorcycles and jet skis.
Anh Tuan “TA” Nguyen, nSJ
San Jose, California
TA received a bachelor’s in human physiology from San Francisco State University. He has been a longtime volunteer in various youth ministries in San Jose. He was in the first cohort of the Jesuits West discernment house in Seattle, where he coached sixth grade boys’ basketball at Seattle Nativity School and served food in the St. Joseph School’s kitchen. TA’s favorite saint is St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, the holy porter, because he saw Christ in each person who walked through the doors.
Vincent Nguyen, nSJ
Westminster, California
Vincent has a bachelor’s in philosophy from St. John’s University and did graduate studies in theology at St. John’s Seminary. He taught theology and was interim assistant campus minister at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California, for two years and served as a youth leader in the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement. Vincent enjoys traveling, which has included trips to Rome, where he met Pope Francis and visited St. Ignatius’ rooms, and to Vietnam, where he spent time at the Jesuit Curia House.
José Luis Plascencia, nSJ
Baldwin Park, California
José Luis studied philosophy at Marymount California University. He led Ignatian retreats inside California state prisons while working with the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative, and his decision to enter the novitiate was in part shaped by this work. He was also director of high school ministries at St. Mariana de Paredes Catholic Church in Pico Rivera, California. He has a passion for working with youth and families, especially those in underserved communities. José Luis loves biking along the beach and camping trips.
Grant Voss, nSJ
Mission Viejo, California
Grant has a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Fullerton and a law degree from Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law. He was manager of privacy governance and compliance at Hyundai Capital America and an associate attorney at a law firm. He served as commissioner on the Community Services Commission in Mission Viejo, California, receiving the state’s 2017 Outstanding Commissioner of the Year Award. Grant’s hobbies include scuba diving, snorkeling, travel and cooking.
