The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-10-08
MAKING OF A JESUIT.

Rev. Thomas j. GassQn,. S. j., in recent lee
ture on "Thc Making of Jesuit" said:
"The object of the order is clearly set down in
the first part of the constitution The society was
established not merely for-the mental and spiritual
advancement of the individual, but also for the
moral uplifting of thet race, according to Chris
tian ideals and principles, The mission of the
Jesuit is not one class. or nation. 1t is to the
members of the human family. arr
For this important mission the Jesuit is pre-
pared by a life of prayer and of self denial and a
life of prolonged study The candidate who seeks
admission into the ranks of the company must
give proof that he is fitted to engage in an enter
prize requiring stree - of body, kcenness of mind
and finnncss of purpose. There must me no cloud
no shadow over his life for he must present to men
a clear escutcheon.
The training is begun in the novitiate, or
home. of the members Two years in the
commencement of his career are spent In complete
separation from the world and from distracting
studies These two years passed in prayer and
meditation, IN the reading of spiritual books and
in deep study of those principles which are the
foundation of inward piety and of absolute self
mastery.
"The entire two years consequently at the out
set and thereafter the early hours of the morn
ing and the closing hours of the evening must be
given up to prayer. The model placed before the
Jesuit for imitation is Christ. the Master of sane
tlty. For the Jesuit Christ must dwell as vivid
presence molding the thought of the mind, the
desire of the heart and the deeds of daily life.
During the long retreat of thirty days which the
Jesuit makes twice in his lifetime and during the
yearly retreat of eight days this thought is driven
home with irresistible force
Novice life is also one of self denial, for self
has no place among those who bind themselves to
walk as exactly as possible in the footsteps of
Christ 10 be true apostle must bid fare
we'll to the ties of kindred and of friendship The
narrow circle of acquaintance and of relatives
must be widencd into that larger circle which en-
braces the entire human family and which knows
no distinction Of race or color
1T is, moreover. a life of study The enemies
of the church armed with intellectual weapons
OF the latest discoveries IN science philosophy and
literature The messenger of faith must meet
them on their ground. No corner of human
knowledge must be neglected
After the noviceshp and the taking of the
first vows the young Jesuit spends two years in a
review of classical studies; then three years are
devoted to solid training in diaectics, criteri-
o!oGy, entoogy, cosmology psychology. episte-
mology, theodlcy. ethics, political economy, the
history of philosophy mathematics, physics
chemistry, astronomy and kindred sciences. After
tins the class room becomes the arena of trial and
five years are surrendered to the laborious life of
teaching.
The teaching period is succeeded by the study
of theology, Holy Scripture, church history
canon law, moral and pastoral theology, Hebrew
and OF homiletics,a wide range of subjects indeed
but absolutely necessary Tor the modern apostle
he sacred dignity of the priesthood is usually
conferred at the close of the third year Of tho
oloey The preparation for the final VOWS ends with
a gear spent III solitude and in prayer in order
that the virtues planted during the years Of study
may take still deeper root and be brought to still
more vigorous flower"