About 60 guests were able to take part in the ceremony, including members of Sam’s family. He leaves for Paris this weekend to begin his studies as a Scholastic.
For those who are interested, here is the Formation journey of a Jesuit:
Novitiate - 2 years: A novice learns to create a community of brothers who grow in prayer, knowledge of the Society, apostolic work, and personal enrichment. He meets the Lord through the 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat. At the end of these two years, he pronounces vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
First studies - 3 years: The newly-vowed Jesuit moves into academic work as a brother or a scholastic. He studies philosophy and theology, and he deepens his Jesuit identity through other ministerial work which strengthens or challenges his gifts.
Regency - 3 years: The Jesuit brother or scholastic moves into active Jesuit ministry, usually teaching at a school, college or university.
Theology - 3 years: Jesuit scholastics usually move on to formal theology studies which prepare them for priestly ordination, but the Jesuit brother might study theology for a shorter time to enhance his effectiveness for ministry.
Ordination: A scholastic receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders and is available for his first assignment as a Jesuit priest.
Tertianship - about 5 years later: Jesuit brothers and priests take a year to review their formation, to experience again the 30-day retreat, and to pronounce final vows in the Society.
Now initial formation is complete.
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