Am I a young man between the ages of 18 and 25 years? Am I a young man with talents and a good high school degree or a university degree, yet feel there is something better I can do with my life for God? Do I feel a strong desire to serve God’s people in a religious organization? Do I feel called to live the vow of poverty, by which I will be free of any attachment to worldly possessions save that which is needed for carrying out effectively God’s work of justice, love, and peace on earth? Do I feel called to live a life of the vow of chastity, and obedience? Do I feel a personal responsibility toward the defence of the Catholic faith and bringing the message of the gospel to my immediate environment and to the ends of the earth?Have I seen men whom I had revered leave the religious order to which they had committed themselves, and yet I feel the urge in me to follow God in this way of life that seems contrary to nature and the way of the world? Do I see myself drawn to live my life in a community of brothers who share the same zeal for souls as I do? If you do discover, deep down in your heart, that you have a positive response to these personal questions and are filled with lasting consolation at the mere thought of what you can do for God in a religious body, then you may consider becoming a Jesuit.

Some biblical passages that might help your discernment

• Gen 12:1-5 Call of Abraham
• Ex 3: 1-2 Call of Moses
• 1Sam 3: 1-10 Call of Samuel
• Jn 1: 35-43 Call of the First Disciples

On a personal level, the life of a Jesuit is not all fun. Neither is the life of a Jesuit all sorrow, disappointments, frustrations, or setbacks. It is a life which patterns the movement of the Universal Church toward God's Kingdom. The blessings of the Church's experience will be yours as well when the Church receives commendations and appraisals from all. The gloomy experience of the Church in terms of setbacks, in some scandalous circumstances, deceit, disappointments, and lack of support will also be yours to share. This is the experience of our Catholic faith. This is the experience that goes way back in history to the time of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who had a Judas among his disciples. Jesus had the "sons of thunder," who were willing to call down fire on a village, among his disciples.

Jesus had a Peter who denied him at the most crucial moment when the profession of faith was required among his disciples. Jesus had a Thomas who doubted until he saw a physical evidence for belief among his disciples. All that has been mentioned are also the lot of Jesuits: brothers who can experience disappointments, let downs, frustration, but also joy at a brother's achievement for God's people; one who can also experience the contentment that only the Spirit that accomplishes all good works in us can give. Father Ignatius experienced all this just as his nine companions did.

These trials, falls, blessings, and joys all work for the good of making God's kingdom become a reality in the here and now. This is what it means to desire to become a Jesuit: that you are not swayed into a state of stupor by the glories, past and present, of the Society of Jesus. That you realize that, while it is a society established by the power of God to do God's work, it is also a society of men of different temperament and different backgrounds. That it is in this sea of variety of people, their talents, temperaments and backgrounds through which God in Christ makes the glory of His light to shine to the rest of humanity. That this Society, despite the weaknesses of its members, strive to bring about justice, love, and peace beyond what the world can ever dream of.

This Society is a society of men who, despite their weaknesses, love God's creation and will do all to bring about an appreciation of creation and a consciousness of God's labouring in humanity to bring about a world that is disposed to letting Him become the Lord of their hearts. This Society of Jesus has a single-minded conviction that through the toils and labours of its members God will bring about love, justice, peace, and tranquillity on earth.

As you consider your vocation, here are some entreaties that might be of help to you. In discernment, one tries to find out whether one has a sense of inner peace and freedom and joy when one imagines oneself being what one is considering becoming.

Further questions for your consideration

• Do you want to become a priest?
• What kind of priest do you want to become? Diocesan or Religious?
• How many Religious Orders do you know of?
• What kind of Religious Order would you want to join?
• What are their apostolates?
• In which countries do they work?

If you feel, after a prayerful reflection, that you are called to serve God in this way, then you should consider becoming a member of the Society of Jesus.