By Aric Serrano, SJ In order to experience meaningful spiritual growth, people of faith need a spiritual support system. While I hope that, as a Jesuit, I have supported many on their faith journeys, I, too, owe a debt of gratitude to many who helped me along my way. My aunt, Sr. Teresa, played a …
Eat, Pray, Love? The Power of Community in Discerning One’s Vocation Read More »
By Colleen Hogan Many congregations are oriented by Ignatian spirituality, and Ignatian formation typically involves significant classroom time. Dan Leckman, a Jesuit brother, and Sonal Castelino, a Xaviere Missionaries of Christ Jesus sister, can attest to that. But reflective of Ignatius of Loyola’s conviction that God can be found in all things, Ignatian formation also …
By Rachel Moccia Abin Mathew, SJ, discerned his vocation with the guidance of his family and the Virgin Mary. Now, he’s in his first year of philosophy studies at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, and serving at an after-school program for children in the Bronx. His is a journey marked by deep faith, …
A Bible and the scent of jasmine: Tools for discernment Read More »
With great joy and gratitude, the Jesuits of Canada and Haiti welcomed this summer seven new novices ; two in Canada and five in Haiti. We thank God for the great blessing of their vocation to the Society. Here are their short bios. From Canada Samuel Cuellar Kitchener, Ontario Samuel, 23, has a bachelor’s in …
By Fannie Dionne Marcel Lapointe, SJ—Jesuit, artist, and teacher—was born in Magog, Quebec in 1928. He studied at Sherbrooke Seminary and Collège Sainte-Marie in Montreal before joining the Society of Jesus in 1952. Ordained a priest in 1963, he enrolled in 1966 at the École des Beaux-arts de Montréal, where he was introduced to the …
“Regency plays a special role in the overall formation of a Jesuit,” wrote former Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, (1983–2008), regarding the formation of members of the Society of Jesus. Every Jesuit, during his long formation, must go through this period of about two years during which he works in an Ignatian apostolate, discerned with …
By Fannie Dionne After discovering the first signs of his religious vocation at a young age when he attended Mass with his mother, Fr. John O’Brien, SJ, joined the Society of Jesus in 2008. After having held various roles with young people (teacher, school principal, spiritual director), he is now the Vocations Director for the …
By Eric Clayton The Spanish Jesuit priest, Jerome Nadal, companion to St. Ignatius of Loyola himself, wrote this of the Jesuit way of life: “The form of the Society [of Jesus] is in the life of Ignatius. … God set him up as a living example of our way of proceeding.” This way of proceeding …
By Fannie Dionne Musicologist, teacher, and Jesuit priest, New Brunswick Father Louis Cyr (1936–2020) led a life filled with multiple encounters. From the accounts of people who knew him, it seems that Fr. Cyr had an ear not only for music but also for listening to people from a multitude of cultures. A Musician who …
From Edmundston to Kahnawá:ke: The Symphony of Father Louis Cyr Read More »
By Fannie Dionne Prolific writer and speaker, America Media’s editor-at-large, consultant for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication: American Jesuit Fr. James Martin is one of the most well-known Jesuits after Pope Francis. This is due in part from his undeniable talent for making Ignatian spirituality accessible to everyone, but also to his vocal commitment to …
Between Jesus, books and LGBTQ advocacy: Fr. James Martin, SJ Read More »