The novice begins to live the life of the vows in community and learns the traditions, rules and expectations of the Society. At the end of this two-year period of prayer, work and study, he pronounces perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, as either a Jesuit brother or a scholastic, the word used to describe the men who will prepare for priestly ordination. With these vows Jesuit scholastics and brothers normally begin a three-year period of philosophy and theology 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.
Regency is the next period of formation.
The Jesuit works for two or three years in a school or other approved apostolate of the Society 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 continues his formation of prayer, guidance and study known as tertianship . After the tertianship period the Jesuit is called to final vows .