Integral members of many Jesuit communities in the U.S. and on the missions overseas, brothers play an active role in almost every type of Jesuit work not requiring priestly orders. Their responsibilities range from teaching engineering to building churches, from training youth groups to organizing community action programs, from conducting an infirmary for elderly priests and brothers to serving as chief financial officers of major Jesuit enterprises. Studies 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, while Jesuit brothers ordinarily complete some specialized studies during this period. Either full-time apostolic work or further specialized studies follow this period. After completing these studies and further active ministry, the Jesuit continues his formation in a period of prayer, guidance and study known as tertianship. After the tertianship period the Jesuit is called to final vows in the Society of Jesus.