Candidates to the Sodality make their commitments kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament.

The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, Jesuit’s premiere faith formation organization on campus, held its Induction Mass on Thursday, January 7, 2016, in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. Added to the ranks of the Sodality were 27 students from all grade levels who seek admission to the Sodality in order to grow in personal holiness, brotherhood with their peers, and service to others. The students had spent the first semester as candidates, attending meetings and exploring whether they were suited to life in the Sodality.  Each Sodalists commits himself to daily prayer in the morning and evening, one weekly Mass in addition to the normal Sunday obligation, a monthly act of service to those in need, and monthly reception of the Sacrament of Confession.  Parents and friends were in attendance at the Mass to pray for and support the candidates.

Brady Stiller, the senior Prefect in charge of the Sodality, said, “It was wonderful to see the great future of the Sodality as the new freshmen were inducted. I think that the spirituality of the school has a bright future and that the Sodality has great potential.” Stiller, along with other student leaders in Sodality, have set the theme of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the 2015-2016 school year. This classic Catholic devotion has been the focus of many of the formation events hosted by Sodality and was the centerpiece of the homily given by Fr. John Brown, S.J., at the Induction Mass. Stiller also commented that he was pleased with the number of new inductees (27) which is an increase from previous inductions.

Echoing Stiller’s words was Mr. Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J., a Jesuit scholastic who teaches theology and serves as the director of the Sodality: “The Induction Mass was a promising sign for the future of the Sodality at Jesuit. Having started several years ago, the Sodality continues to draw men to make their consecration to the Blessed Mother and to Christ. This year we have focused our energies on the Sacred Heart of Christ, and the induction Mass last evening is a steady sign that the burning furnace of Christ’s love is still alive in the hearts of our young men who seek to imitate him with their life and their service.” Mr. Minsal-Ruiz has taken the reigns of the Sodality from Fr. John Brown, S.J., and continues to advance its mission for the good of souls at Jesuit.

Sodalists received their long awaited wrist bands after the induction ceremony was concluded.

The mission of the Sodality of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is to aid in the formation of its members in holiness and in virtue, to foster brotherhood, and to promote service for the common good and the Glory of God Our Lord. The Sodality is a long-standing organization on campus and was revived in 2008 by Fr. Nathan O’Halloran, S.J.  The mission of the Sodality had been served by a similar faith-formation group under the name “Christian Life Community” until 2008. The Sodality has since been expanded and nurtured by the many Jesuits who continue to serve the school and has encouraged hundreds of students throughout the years to more deeply respond to the invitation Christ makes to them to be Men of Faith and Men for Others.