Questions/Comments
If you have a question about the Jesuits or a comment to make about what you have found here please submit it below.
Question
Can a woman become a Jesuit?
Response
No a woman cannot become a Jesuit, but there are a number of groups (congregations) of women religious (sisters) who share the same spirituality, as the Jesuits, that of St. Ignatius Loyola and in some instances have the same constitutions (foundational documents) as the Jesuits. Amongst these are the CJs (Congregation of Jesus), the FCJs (the Faithful Companions of Jesus), and the Loreto Sisters. Women have been very closely associated with the work of the Jesuits down the centuries. In 16th Century England a number of women were key to keeping alive the Jesuit mission to the persecuted Catholic population. In 21st Century England a number of women are the directors of Jesuit works.
Question
what would differentiate a jesuit from a dominican?
Response
A very partial answer because given by a Jesuit who doesn't have an inside knowledge of Dominican life! And a qualified answer because Jesuits and Dominicans share a lot in common. But beginning with some of the most immediately noticeable differences: the Dominicans will gather daily in community for the celebration of some of the Offices of the Church and this is part of their rule. By contrast St. Ignatius wanted the Jesuits to be free of that obligation because he wanted us to be as available as possible for a whole variety of apostolic work. But this does not mean that Jesuits don't pray or don't pray together! They do, but how and when they pray is determined by the circumstances of their mission. The other noticeable difference between Dominicans and Jesuits is that Dominicans have a habit and Jesuits don't. It was Ignatius' intention that Jesuits dress as the ordinary priests of the locality where the Jesuits were working, and the reason why he desired this, it is said, is that often the ordinary clergy of the time were not held in high regard. If you want to explore further the differences between the two orders, you couldn't do better than read a life of St. Dominic and St. Ignatius because in each case they embody the charism of the order they founded.
Question
what are the charisms of jesuits?
Response
There are no doubt different ways of answering this question, but here's one that means most to me: that the charism of the Jesuit is to seek God at work in the world and to make himself available to labour with God. As one of our recent congregations (international meetings of the Society) put it: 'The God of St Ignatius is the God who is at work in all things... For a Jesuit, therefore, not just any response to the needs of men and women of today will do. The initiative must come from the Lord labouring in events and people here and now'. (General Congregation 34 Decree 26)
Question
What sort of domestic living arrangements do Jesuits have? And are they paid a formal stipend of any sort?
Response
Most Jesuits live in communities. The communities range in size from quite small, four or five, (this would be typical of our British Province) to very large, a 100 or more. You would find such large communities in the United States where those training as Jesuits and Jesuit priests live together in the setting of a University. As regards living expenses, we depend a lot on benefactors, people who have given money to the Society of Jesus over the years. These benefactions help support Jesuits during their training. In houses made up of Jesuits who have completed their training, the idea is that they live off whatever funds they receive in recognition of the work that they do. In most communities, there is a system of monthly allowances, to cover small expenses. For larger expenses, Jesuits would normally approach their Superior to ask permission for money for whatever it is they need to buy. A good example of that would be if someone needed a computer for the work or studies. Hope the answer sheds some light on the issue.
Question
Sorry brothers but why don't you wear your habit, the jesuit cassock?
Response
As far as I am aware the Jesuit cassock has not been used in the British Province. The traditional attire here was 'the wings', a kind of academic gown. St. Ignatius' own desire was that Jesuits would dress in ways that suited the environment in which they lived and fitted in with the customs of the local clergy.
Question
Congratulations! Your new website looks great.
Response
Many thanks!
Question
When did the Jesuits first start working in England and why?
Response
Jesuits first arrived in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I when Catholics were being persecuted.