The Society of Jesus (Societas Iesu in Latin) is a Christian religious order of the Roman Catholic Church in direct service to the Pope. Its members, known as Jesuits since the Protestant Reformation, have been called "Footsoldiers of the Pope" in part because the Society's founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a Basque nobleman and soldier before his conversion. Today, Jesuits number over 20,000 and comprise the largest religious order in the Catholic Church. Jesuit priests and brothers are engaged in ministries in 112 nations on six continents. Their work is focused on education and intellectual contributions, primarily at colleges and universities.
The Society of Jesus is consecrated under the patronage of Madonna Della Strada, a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary meaning Our Lady of the Way. The Way was what early Christians called their community in Jerusalem and surrounding Palestine. The Society is lead by Peter Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General, based in the Church of the Name of Jesus in Rome.
Last week I had the priviledge to spend the weekend (2 days and 1 night, to be exact) with the Jesuits in my church as part of the Religious Vocation Exposure Programme by Lifeline. Although my stay was short, through much interactions with the Jesuits I have learnt a lot about them. These are somethings which I have learnt:
- JESUITS LIVE AS A COMMUNITY
Not all Jesuits are priests, they can be Jesuit brothers or Scholastics (Jesuits who are undergoing the process of becoming a Jesuit priest) who might be currently working as a teacher or even a pharmacologist. The Jesuits is an independant community which meant that they have to find their own income (i.e. jobs/donations). Therefore whatever that was earned by its members will be put into the common fund, which will be used to buy necessities for the community's use. The most interesting fact I have discovered about the Jesuits was that, no Jesuit is allowed to own anything after he has become a member of the Society. By "anything", I meant from stuff like money to toothbrush. So owns it? Everyone. But of course due to hygiene purposes no one will be borrowing toothbrushes. ;)
- JESUITS HAVE NO TEMPORARY VOWS
Some Orders I know have temporary vows, which will be valid only for a period of time (e.g. one year). But for the Jesuits, vows are perpetual. By the way being a Jesuit meant taking the vow of chastity, obedience and poverty. When I first heard this, I once asked a Jesuit...
Me: So perpetual means... forever?
Jesuit: Yes.
Me: Forever, forever?
Jesuit: Yes.
Me: Forever and ever and ever?
Jesuit: Yes.
Therefore when one joins the Jesuit he will be required to go through the Novitiate for at least 2 years before he is given the option to take the vows.
- THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IS NO BED OF ROSES
According to a Jesuit I know, the 2 year Novitiate is like boot camp. Not that this is a bad thing, because one of the purposes of the Novitiate is to instill disicpline and humility. So for you aspiring Jesuits, be prepared for a full scheduled day from classes to cooking meals, everyday. That's not so bad compared to what they require to do to break pride. Humility is instilled through menial jobs they were sent to do for at least 6 weeks. Some I knew worked as paddy farmers in northern Thailand and another worked in a hospital; bathing patients and cleaning up feces daily.
- JESUITS ARE SERIOUSLY FUNNY
As I was having dinner with the Jesuits at SS2's Wai Sek Kai (Glutton Street), I made small talk with Father A...
Me: Well Father, what other languages do you speak besides English and Malay?
Father A.: *serious expression* I do speak in tongues.
Me: Oo.. kayy...
Besides Father A., Brother A. was another adorably funny character. Impressed at the depth of his practical knowledge, I said...
Me: Wow, you know so much.
Brother A.: There are a lot of things in this world that I do not know, you know? (<--by the way, that line was word-for-word)
Me: *chuckles*
All in all, being with the Jesuits was a memorable and good experience. There were many other things which I have experienced and have learnt but as Scripture says "...if every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25) Hehe.
On a personal note, I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the Jesuit community in St. Francis Xavier's for their generous hospitality.
God bless.
On a personal note, I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the Jesuit community in St. Francis Xavier's for their generous hospitality.
God bless.
4 comments:
Lol. That's seriously funny.
Good insight to the Jesuit order.
http://www.chick.com/reading/comics/0112/0112_allinone.asp
what do you think about the comic?
cynical-idealist: Well, the Jesuits is a really interesting Order. If you'd like I can introduce you to one of the Jesuits at SFX :)
Anonymous: Hey there! Welcome to Jesus! ;) I have read Chick comics before, first got them from my previous Christian Fellowship teacher advisor. :) I think the comic's very misinformed with regards to the Catholic faith, but other than that it's quite entertaining. :D
That'll be cool, if I'm ever in KL.
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