New York Province Society of Jesus

Jesuit Formation

Mediocrity has no place in Ignatius' world view. It is therefore essential to give young Jesuits a human, spiritual, intellectual and ecclesial formation as deep, strong and vibrant as possible to allow each of them to achieve our mission in the world with a proper attitude of service in the Church.
Decree 1, 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, 2008

To be a Jesuit is, above all, learning to live in God's presence. Such a life challenges us to pray, to make practical decisions in the light of the gospel and to love as Christ loved. Formation is something we allow God to do - gently, truthfully, consistently. Our formation helps us become in all our humanity an instrument united to God in order to love the world and its people. The average length of Jesuit formation is about 10 years, depending on the man's background and course of studies. Below is an overview of the different stages of Jesuit formation.

The novitiate is the first stage of Jesuit formation. The novice begins to live the life of the vows in community and learns the traditions, rules and expectations of the Society. During this time he makes the Spiritual Exercises in a thirty-day retreat and engages in a variety of "experiments," some of which involve service to the very poor and needy, as Matt Prochilo, nSJ, did with McQuaid Jesuit students in the Dominican Republic.

At the end of this two-year period of prayer, work and study, he pronounces perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience either as a brother or as a scholastic who will prepare for priestly ordination. With these vows Jesuit scholastics and brothers normally begin a three-year period of philosophy studies. If the man has not yet received a bachelor's degree, he studies for that at this time. He may also be asked to use this time to begin graduate work in a field of specialization. Fordham University in New York City hosts one of the three programs in the United States where Jesuit scholastics engage in this First Studies period of formation.

Regency is the next period of formation. The Jesuit works for two or three years in a school or other approved apostolate and lives in an apostolic community.

After regency, Jesuit scholastics begin an intensive three-year study of theology which leads to priestly ordination. This may be followed either by full-time apostolic work or specialized studies.

After completing his theological studies and some further active ministry, the Jesuit completes his formal formation of prayer, guidance and studies with tertianship. After the tertianship period, the Jesuit is called to final vows in the Society of Jesus.

For a more detailed look at the stages of formation, click here.


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		Jesuit Formation Mediocrity has no place in Ignatius' world view. It is therefore essential to give young Jesuits a human, spiritual, intellectual and ecclesial formation as deep, strong and vibrant as possible to allow each of them to achieve our mission in the world with a proper attitude of service in the Church. Decree 1, 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, 2008 To be a Jesuit is, above all, learning to live in God's presence. Such a life challenges us to pray, to make practical decisions in the light of the gospel and to love as Christ loved. Formation is something we allow God to do - gently, truthfully, consistently. Our formation helps us become in all our humanity an instrument united to God in order to love the world and its people. The average length of Jesuit formation is about 10 years, depending on the man's background and course of studies. Below is an overview of the different stages of Jesuit formation. The novitiate is the first stage of Jesuit formation. The novice begins to live the life of the vows in community and learns the traditions, rules and expectations of the Society. During this time he makes the Spiritual Exercises in a thirty-day retreat and engages in a variety of "experiments," some of which involve service to the very poor and needy, as Matt Prochilo, nSJ, did with McQuaid Jesuit students in the Dominican Republic. At the end of this two-year period of prayer, work and study, he pronounces perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience either as a brother or as a scholastic who will prepare for priestly ordination. With these vows Jesuit scholastics and brothers normally begin a three-year period of philosophy studies. If the man has not yet received a bachelor's degree, he studies for that at this time. He may also be asked to use this time to begin graduate work in a field of specialization. Fordham University in New York City hosts one of the three programs in the United States where Jesuit scholastics engage in this First Studies period of formation. Regency is the next period of formation. The Jesuit works for two or three years in a school or other approved apostolate and lives in an apostolic community. After regency, Jesuit scholastics begin an intensive three-year study of theology which leads to priestly ordination. This may be followed either by full-time apostolic work or specialized studies. After completing his theological studies and some further active ministry, the Jesuit completes his formal formation of prayer, guidance and studies with tertianship. After the tertianship period, the Jesuit is called to final vows in the Society of Jesus. For a more detailed look at the stages of formation, click here.