Jesuit Candidacy Program

Candidacy

The Jesuit Candidacy Program is a program of spiritual direction and vocational guidance. It is intended for a man who is seriously considering the Society of Jesus as one of several vocational choices. It is also for a person who strongly believes that God might be calling him to be a Jesuit, but is not yet certain. Lastly, it is for a person, who has decided in his heart that he is called to be a Jesuit, but needs or wishes more experience and growth before taking such a step.

The program does not imply a commitment to enter religious life. Rather, it provides an opportunity for vocational discernment -- a time for a man to know himself more deeply, to grow in a personal relationship with Christ, to experience the life and mission of the Society of Jesus, and to clarify his future.

A man who wishes to become a candidate must meet with the vocation director for an initial interview. If both the man and vocation director agree to continue the discernment process, the man becomes an Associate and is invited to attend vocation events. After further discussions with the vocation director and attendance at vocation events, the man and the vocation director may agree that spiritual direction is appropriate. At that point, a man is designated a Candidate. A Candidate,therefore, is anyone who receives regular spiritual direction and guidance from a Jesuit in order to discern whether he is called to Jesuit life.

The length of candidacy varies according to each individual. For the person who begins candidacy as early as junior or senior year in high school, it could last a year or two until he graduates, or for several years while he goes through college. Others who are either nearing college graduation or beyond college in some professional field could find that a year or less of candidacy is sufficient time to clarify the possibility of a Jesuit vocation. However anyone who wishes eventually to apply to the Society of Jesus is asked to have at least several months of spiritual direction with a Jesuit. Though the frequency of this direction varies, a candidate normally sees his director at least once a month.

Direction

The candidate's relationship with his director requires mutual openness and trust - something that is challenging but also very rewarding. The director gradually helps the candidate to clarify his personal strengths and weaknesses, his aspirations and motivation, his experience of the Lord and the possible Jesuit character to his vocation. Moreover, the director or vocation director suggests readings to the candidate, which provide him more understanding about prayer, religious life, ministry in the Church, and Jesuit history and spirituality.

Discernment Assistance - Though the heart of the Candidacy Program is the ongoing spiritual direction, the Program also affords other opportunities to help a man toward his decision. The following activities are strongly recommended to associates/candidates and, indeed, requested of those men who are seriously considering application to the Society:

1. Meetings with other associates/candidates. Those gatherings (hosted by Jesuit communities) may consist of Eucharist, a meal and a brief talk/discussion on some aspect of Jesuit life or apostolate.

2. Individually-directed retreat of four to eight days during the course of the program . This retreat is given by the candidate's director or another Jesuit.

3. Visits to Loyola House, the Jesuit novitiate. These informal weekend visits - or their equivalent-provide contact with young men who have recently begun their Jesuit life and also provide first hand knowledge of early Jesuit formation.

4. Conversation with the province Vocation Director. These conversations allow the Vocation Director an opportunity to know each candidate; and if appropriate, to assess the candidate's readiness to enter the Society of Jesus. The Vocation Director gives approval for the application process to begin.

5. Apostolic projects with Jesuits and/or living in Jesuit communities. Those opportunities are occasionally offered according to the individual needs and initiatives of each candidate.

Though the Program does not cost anything to join, any travel (and, in some cases, retreat) expenses are the candidate's responsibility. All other activities are offered without cost.

Decision

Through the spiritual direction and activities of the Candidacy Program, a candidate might decide that he is not called to be a Jesuit. Whether for this or another reason, a person can terminate his candidacy at whatever point he chooses.

If, however, a candidate experiences a growing conviction and peace about his desire to enter the Society of Jesus, he first discusses this with his spiritual director. If his director shares this conviction, then this is communicated to the Vocation Director who can help the man to begin the application process. In some cases the Vocation Director may decide that a longer candidacy period would be beneficial for a candidate.

Applications to the novitiate commonly occur between January and April of each year. By the first week in May, applications should be completed. The process includes a written autobiography and application form, interviews, recommendations, psychological testing, a medical examination, and the acquisition of various academic and church documents. All of the material is presented to the Provincial of the Chicago Province who makes the final decision regarding admission of a candidate to the Jesuit novitiate.

Those interested in becoming a Jesuit candidate can do so by contacting any Jesuit or by writing the Chicago Province Vocation Director. The Vocation Director will be happy to assist you with the Candidacy Program, to arrange for a spiritual director (even if you temporarily live or study outside the Chicago Province area), and to share with you more information about the Jesuits.

For more information write to:
Vocation Director
2050 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614-4788
773-975-6363
vocations@jesuits-chi.org