This year, the novitiates in Europe rejoiced with 32 men giving their first steps in the Society of Jesus. They all felt a desire to do more, to deliver themselves to the other, to serve God in the fullest way… It was not enough to think of a professional career, it was not enough to stay in the prayer groups, it was not enough to do some volunteering. These young Jesuits have very different backgrounds, but all share the same restless desire to follow the steps of Christ.

Joining the novitiate may seem just the beginning but it is in fact the product of a long and serious discernment, accompanied by their Jesuit spiritual directors. This Jesuit's tasks is mainly focused on helping the young man discerning what God is calling him to do. 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.

The novitiate takes 2 years.  During this period, a novice learns how 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. Do you want to know more on how to become a Jesuit? Check our page: https://jesuits.eu/join-the-mission/become-a-jesuit

These 32 men join the 17 novices, which are already in the second year. In total, there are 49 novices spread over the 9 novitiates in Europe and the Middle East. Below, you can find the details for each novitiate.

 

Bilbao (Spain)

First year: 8

Second year: 2

Total novitiate: 10

Country: Spain

 

 

Birmingham(United Kingdom)

First year: 1

Second year: 3

Total novitiate: 4

Countries: Northern Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Czechia and Slovakia.

 

Cairo (Egypt)

First year: 0

Second year: 2

Total novitiate: 2

Countries: Lebanon, Egypt and Syria

 

Coimbra (Portugal)

First year: 1

Second year: 4

Total novitiate: 5

Country: Portugal

 

Gdynia (Poland)

First year: 6

Second year: 4

Total novitiate: 10

Countries: Poland, Russia, Ukraine

 

Genoa (Italy)

First year: 7

Second year: 1

Total novitiate: 8

Countries: Italy, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Hungary

 

 

Lyon (France)

First year: 4

Second year: 1

Total novitiate: 5

Countries: France, Southern Belgium and Luxemburg

 

 

Nuremberg (Germany)

First year: 2

Second year: 0

Total novitiate: 2

Countries: Austria, Germany, Lithuania and Switzerland

 

 

Split (Croatia)

First year: 3

Second year: 0

Total novitiate: 3

Countries: Croatia