The Arrupe Experience is a time of training in which Jesuit scholastics prepare ourselves for the sacrament of orders. Recently in Barcelona, five young men studying in Madrid completed this year-long experience with a final course on affectivity led by Vicente Marcuello and personalized spiritual exercises directed by Jaume Cerdà, who has accompanied us throughout the year. 

Our appreciation and understanding of the various themes addressed - especially the way in which the Society of Jesus understands the priesthood and human affectivity - has deepened throughout the year in our prayer, our study and our shared daily life. It has been a time where the "simmering" of our Jesuit formation has integrated the experience of priesthood in a more intense and explicit way. 

The exercises that concluded this period of formation were a privileged moment to re-read our vocation, to revive our passion, to update our desire to serve the Church, and do it all in the way of Jesus. Now the process of preparing our ordination, something we live with sincere joy while being ever aware of our weaknesses and frailties, begins.

Image: From left to right:  Samuel Fernández Beirao (POR, Jaume Cerdà (ESP), Sergio Gadea (ESP), Brendan Busse (CFN), Salvo Collura (ITA), Miguel Pedro Melo (POR)