By Becky Sindelar Fr. Henk Van Meijel, SJ, has a unique vocation story: He’s a father who raised his three children before he became a Jesuit “Father” later in life. In this interview, he shares his unique journey to the Jesuit priesthood and the powerful conversions he’s witnessed through Ignatian spiritual accompaniment. Fr. Henk highlights …
A Jesuit’s journey from parenthood to priesthood Read More »
By Adam Lalonde, SJ May 15, 2023 – The Jesuit community of Regis College had the joy this Saturday of celebrating the ordination of two new deacons for the Society of Jesus: Matthew Hendzel, SJ and Raymond Parcon, SJ. Matthew is from Winnipeg and was ordained for the Province of Canada & Haiti, while Raymond, …
Called to Serve: Jesuits Celebrate Ordination of Two New Deacons in Toronto Read More »
By Rachel Moccia A symphony of voices and footsteps echoed in the hallowed halls of the Martyrs’ Shrine, as over 12,000 souls with diverse beliefs journeyed together in pilgrimage. Among them, a young Tamil Canadian, Raj Vijayakumar, would find himself ensnared in a divine dance of accompaniment that would ultimately lead him to the Jesuits. …
From “no” to “yes”: The story of Raj Vijayakumar Read More »
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 …