Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Who is a Jesuit?
What Do the Jesuits Do?
How Do the Jesuits Go about their Mission ?
Where Do They Work in the Province of North-West Africa ?
Considering Jesuit Vocation?
Requirement for Becoming a Jesuit Priest
Requirements for Becoming a Jesuit Brother
Life of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus
Beginning this write-up with a survey of the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola is in order. St Ignatius was born in the year1491 in Spain . He was from a noble and wealthy family, a man who had the possibility of enjoying life to its fullest. Like many young men of his time, the young Ignatius had dreams of obtaining honour, glory and more wealth as a soldier fighting for his king against foreign enemies. He was also a man who enjoyed the company of young ladies, and he hoped to eventually marry. Ignatius seemed to have all that life could offer a young man.
One day, in the city of Pamplona , he was seriously wounded by a cannon ball while he led his soldiers in a war against the invading French army. The year was 1521 and Ignatius was 30 years old. His leg was badly broken and it took a long time for it to heal.
Ignatius was carried by the French soldiers to his home at Loyola. As he waited for his strength to return and for his leg to be restored to its full use, the days were long and boring. So he took to reading, and his reading led him to understand that God was calling him to promote His divine glory rather than Ignatius’ personal glory and honour. This was the beginning of the Ignatius’ conversion from being a soldier of Spain to becoming a soldier of God.
Ignatius left his home, family and wealth, and dedicated himself to prayer and penance. To get his food he begged. Realising that he needed an education to serve God better, he settled down to school and ended up in the University of Paris (Sorbone). After getting his degree there, he and six companions pledged themselves to God’s service, professing the vows of poverty and chastity.
They made several efforts to go to the Holy Land , which proved futile. Finally, they offered themselves to Pope Paul III, with the offer to do whatever he commanded. The year was 1537 and Ignatius was 45 years old.
Pope Paul III welcomed these companions, approved their ordination, and gave them different assignments. In 1540, the Pope endorsed the formation of a new religious order, the Society of Jesus, with Ignatius as the founder and first superior. This Order became popularly known as the Jesuits. Ignatius stayed in Rome till his death in 1556. By this time the Society of Jesus had grown to nearly 1,000 members. He was canonized on March 12, 1622 .
Who is a Jesuit?
According to the Thirty Second General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, a Jesuit is a sinner yet called by God to be His son’s disciple. In other words, a Jesuit is someone so captured by the love of God that he becomes indifferent wherever that love might lead him. Better still, a Jesuit is a man on a perpetual mission: his house is sited in the heart of the world. Gauging his values in accordance with the Gospel, he endeavours to make a radical difference in his world.
What Do the Jesuits Do?
With a missionary tradition that goes back to St. Francis Xavier, the Apostle of the Indies, Jesuits continue to go wherever they are sent AD MAIROREM DEI GLORIAM – for the greater glory of God. The Jesuit apostolate is to be where others are not going. This means that Jesuits are constantly searching for areas and issues that are ‘no-go-areas’, wherein they find their comfort and joy. At present, they have, in response to Vatican II, focused their mission on education for faith and justice.
How Do the Jesuits Go about their Mission?
Basically, Jesuits carry out their Mission for Humanity through preaching and teaching, but also through their exemplary lives. Each Jesuit is trained to direct retreats (especially using the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius). The Society of Jesus is famous for its intellectual tradition, which is exercised mainly through secondary schools and universities. A good number of Jesuits are into writing and publication.
Where Do They Work in the Province of North-West Africa?
Starting from 1962, Jesuits from New York Province of USA began arriving in Nigeria , and later, in Ghana to begin work in the Region that is now known as the North-West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. As of 22 July 2005 , this province boasts of more than 100 Jesuits: Nigerians, Ghanaians and expatriates. It has its mission territories in Nigeria , Ghana , Sierra-Lone , Liberia and the Gambia . Members of this province would focus more attention on these countries while keeping an eye to wherever the needs might be greater in the world. As has been mentioned, the home of a Jesuit is on the road. He is always on the move, a global labourer.
Considering Jesuit Vocation?
The Jesuits are the largest single male religious congregation in the Roman Catholic Church with over 20,000 members. They are composed of Jesuit Fathers and Brothers. They are known for the intensity of their apostolic work, their being with the world, their quest for justice and their search for the Magis – the Greater Glory of God. The first question to ask yourself while considering being a Jesuit is whether you want to be a Jesuit priest or a Jesuit brother.
You may visit these places if you wish to observe Jesuits at work:
- Loyola Jesuit College Abuja . This school is at Gidan Mangoro, off Karu-Karushi road, Abuja , Nigeria.
- St. Francis Catholic Church and St. Francis Secondary School in Idimu, Lagos , Nigeria.
- Christ the King Catholic Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos , Nigeria.
- St. Joseph ’s Catholic Church, Benin City , Nigeria.
- Jesuit Center , Ugbekun Quarters, Benin City , Nigeria.
- Jesuit Novitiate, Ugbekun Quarters, Benin City , Nigeria.
- St. Anthony Catholic Church and Quaye-Nungua Secondary School , Accra , Ghana.
- Peter Faber House and Retreat Centre, Cape Coast , Ghana.
- Jesuit Refugee Service, Monrovia , Liberia.
Requirement for Becoming a Jesuit Priest
- The young man must be a baptised, unmarried, practising Roman Catholic, 18-25 years old. With a college or university degree, one may be older.
- WASC/GCE with 6 credits in one sitting or 8 credits in two sittings, including English Language. The aggregate of your best six credits should not exceed twenty-seven. We do not recognise results issued by NECO, nor do we accept credits in indigenous languages.
- Personal qualities: good health, an outgoing disposition, experience in parish societies and apostolic activities; a spirit of prayer, closeness to the Church, especially through the Eucharist, leadership qualities and a willingness to face difficult challenges.
- Each vocation is a call from God. A person must experience in himself a desire to work with Brothers and other members of the Society of Jesus. He must also be ready to work with our collaborators, both clerical and lay. He must be ready to go wherever his religious superiors may assign him for the greater glory of God.
Requirements for Becoming a Jesuit Brother
- The young man must be a baptised, unmarried, practising Roman Catholic, 20-30 years old. One could be older depending on working experiences.
- WASC/GCE with a minimum of 5 credits, including English Language. The aggregate of your best five credits should not exceed 23. We do not recognise results issued by NECO, nor do we accept credits in indigenous languages.
- Personal qualities: good health, generosity, spirit of prayer. He would do well to manifest professional skill and competence in some area.
- As with those aspiring to become priests, the Brother’s vocation is a call from God. A person must experience in himself a desire to serve God in an apostolic community. He desires to work with priests and other members of the Society of Jesus for the greater glory of God, wherever his religious superiors may assign him. His specific call is not to ordained priesthood, but to work in accord with the great tradition of holy and active Jesuit Brothers such as St. Nicholas Owen and St. Alphonsus Rodriguez.