Jesuit Jargon Buster
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Word | Explanation |
|---|---|
| AMDG | Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam – Latin meaning “for the greater glory of God” – the Jesuit motto. Often put at the beginning of documents or correspondence. |
| Brother | Jesuits who are not and do not expect to become priests. |
| Community | Group of Jesuits who form a unit with a superior, usually living together in one residence. |
| Consolation | A feeling described by St Ignatius as “Every increase in hope, faith and charity and every interior joy which calls and attracts one toward heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, by bringing it tranquility and peace” |
| Cura Personalis | Latin meaning “care of the individual”, an Ignatian approach to guiding people to a closer relationship with God through one to one spiritual accompaniment. Also used to describe principles of Jesuit education. |
| Curia | Jesuit headquarters for the whole Society, a region (e.g. Europe), or a province. |
| Deacon - permanent | Minister ordained for ministry of the word and service i.e. they can preach and perform baptisms, weddings and funerals but they can’t say Mass or hear confession. |
| Deacon - transitory | As above, but for those who are planning to become priests in due course. Most Jesuit deacons exercise this ministry for about a year before being ordained as priests. |
| Desolation | In the words of St Ignatius 'everything which is contrary to consolation ... obtuseness of soul, turmoil within it, and impulsive motion towards low and earthly things or disquiet from various agitations and temptations. These move one toward lack of faith and leave one without hope and without love. One is completely listless, tepid and unhappy and feels separated from our Creator and Lord.' |
| Discernment | The process of decision making where the choices are not clearly between good and evil but between several potentially good options. It involves reflection and consultation paying attention to impulses of the spirit as well as rational analysis. |
| Examen | Spanish for examination. An ancient Christian prayer recommended by St Ignatius to review your day, recalling events and taking note of your feelings. The purpose is to become more aware of the ways in which God has been present to you. |
| Formation | Jesuit training, this includes academic training but is total development of the person, particularly in preparation to contribute to the mission of the Society. |
| General Congregation | The highest authority in the Society of Jesus. It is an assembly of Jesuit representatives from all parts of the world. A general congregation is always summoned on the death or resignation of the Superior General to choose his successor, and it may be called at other times if circumstances warrant. The last General Congregation (GC35) was held in 2008. |
| House | A residence where a Jesuit community lives. |
| Ignatian | Relating to Ignatius Loyola, the key figure in the founding of the Society of Jesus which includes many people and things that may not be directly related to the Jesuits, e.g. Ignatian women’s congregations or Ignatian Spirituality. |
| IHS | The first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek. Used as a symbol in the Jesuits’ official seal |
| Jesuit | A member of the Society of Jesus or something belonging to the Society or attributed to the Society or its members. General Congregation 34 wrote: “What is it to be a Jesuit today? It is to know that one is a sinner yet called to be a companion of Jesus as Ignatius was.” (decree 26 #4). |
| Laity or Lay person | People of Christian faith who are not ordained (see ordination). |
| LDS | Laus Deo Semper – Latin meaning “Praise God always”, often put at the end of documents or work (scroll right down!) |
| Local Superior | The Jesuit responsible for a community of Jesuits who usually live together but may live in different houses. |
| Magis | Latin meaning “more” – the process of continuous quality improvement employed by St Ignatius and the Jesuits suggesting the spirit of generous excellence in which ministry should be carried out. |
| Minister | An administrative assistant to the Superior of a community. |
| Novice | Man who has begun his Jesuit training with the initial two-year formation programme in prayer and ministry. |
| Novitiate; Noviceship | Process or state of being a novice; community where the novices are based for the programme. |
| Novice Master; Novice Director | Experienced Jesuit who is responsible for the formation of Jesuit novices. |
| Ordination | Sacrament of the Catholic Church by which a man is made a deacon or priest. |
| Priest | Minister ordained . Most Jesuits are priests or scholastics, preparing for priesthood. |
| Provincial Superior; Provincial; Father Provincial | Jesuit responsible for Jesuits within a province |
| Province | Administrative unit within the Society of Jesus that covers a geographical area that may be the same as the borders of a country or may be only a part of a country or span several countries. |
| Regency | Stage of Jesuit formation (normally two years) when a scholastic works and gains pastoral experience. |
| Regent | Scholastic doing regency. |
| Residence | Building in which a Jesuit community lives. Jesuits do not live in monasteries; we are not monks. |
| Scholastic | Jesuit in formation who is preparing for ordination. |
| SJ | Stands for Society of Jesus. All Jesuits can use this suffix after making first vows. Novices use nSJ. |
| Society of Jesus | The religious institute of the Roman Catholic Church approved in 1540 (with a wobble between 1773 and 1814) commonly known as the Jesuits. |
| Socius | Deputy and assistant to Provincial or Novice Master. |
| Spiritual Exercises | A creative and flexible programme of prayer developed by St Ignatius and published as a little book. Their purpose is to help you develop a deeper and more active relationship with God and the world. |
| Superior General; General Superior; General; Father General | Superior General is the direct translation of the Latin Praepositus Generalis, although it is easier to understand its meaning if the word order is reversed as Praepistus Provinciales is translated Provincial Superior and Praepositus locales is translated as Local superior. Therefore General Superior means superior of the order in general rather than a specific location or community and not a supreme military commander. The General Superior is mandated by a General Congregation, the highest governance unit in the Society to govern the Society on a day-to-day basis together with his counsellors and other governing structures of the Society. |
| Tertianship | Last stage of formation, lasting 6-12 months |
| Work (noun) | A project or institution. |
Thanks to Do You Speak Ignatian? by George W. Traub SJ for the idea!
Tags:
Jesuit, Jargon, ignatian, Language