Europe and Near East, 100 novices in 10 novitiates.
Every vocational journey can start in many different ways for many people across Europe and Near East. In October, 56 young men have joined the Society of Jesus with the true intention of becoming Jesuits. They come from almost every Jesuit Province or Region in this territory gathered in 10 different novitiates that go from Portugal to Poland and from England to Egypt.
Jesuit training begins with a two-year programme called novitiate. This instruction begins only after a period of vocational discernment. The role of a Jesuit spiritual director is key in this process. This Jesuit's tasks is mainly focused on helping the young man discern what God is calling him to do, and how best to explore his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Only when mutual knowledge between candidates and Jesuits is mature enough the person will be admitted in the novitiate. Discerning a Jesuit vocation is an exercise of freedom, commitment and openness to find where God is willing to meet each one personally.
All together there are 100 novices in Europe, 56 in first year and 44 in second year. 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.
Here there are some interesting figures about the Jesuit novitiates in Europe and Near East:
Birmingham (U.K.)
First year: 6 NovicesSecond year: 7 Novices
Total novitiate: 13Countries: Northern Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands and United Kingdom
Cairo (Egypt)
First year: 5Second year: 1
Total novitiate: 6Countries: Egypt, Lebanon and Syria
Coimbra (Portugal)
First year: 5Second year: 0
Total novitiate: 5Country: Portugal
Gdynia (Poland)
First year: 10Second year: 8
Total novitiate: 18Country: Poland
Genoa (Italy)
First year: 8Second year: 9
Total novitiate: 17Countries: Italy, Malta, Romania, and Slovenia
Lyon (France)
First year: 2Second year: 4
Total novitiate: 6Countries: France, Southern Belgium and Luxemburg
Nürnberg (Germany)
First year: 7Second year: 6
Total novitiate: 13Countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania and Switzerland
Ružomberok (Slovakia)
First year: 2Second year: 3
Total novitiate: 5Countries: Chequia and Slovakia
San Sebastián (Spain)
First year: 6Second year: 3
Total novitiate: 9Country: Spain
Split (Croacia)
First year: 5Second year: 3
Total novitiate: 8Countries: Croatia
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