During the weekend, recently professed Jesuits who are studying philosophy and theology share their lives with men discerning the call to religious life. The weekend begins Friday with dinner and concludes after lunch on Sunday. Each man attending will be assigned a Jesuit director with whom he will meet daily in private direction for guidance through this silent experience of prayer. The discernment retreat also includes time for meeting and socializing with Jesuit novices and scholastics. The Jesuit Associate Program A Jesuit Associate is a man who is discerning the call to service in the Church as either a priest or brother in the Society of Jesus.
Associates range in age from students in high school and college to men already pursuing careers.
As an Associate, a man is offered several opportunities to learn about and experience what life and ministry in the Society of Jesus involve. There are also periodic regional meetings for members of the program. This informal weekend is an opportunity to learn more about the first two years of life as a Jesuit. Participants meet the Director of Novices, the Novitiate community, the Vocation Director and other men discerning the call to religious life. The weekend begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday afternoon.