Five Jesuit novices visited theology classes today to share their vocation stories with current students. Having recently completed the Spiritual Exercises which is a 30-day silent retreat featuring approximately five one-hour prayer periods each day, these men are in the beginning phases of their formation as Jesuits.

Students had the chance to discuss Jesuit formation, ask questions about vocations to the priesthood and to the Jesuits, and learn about the personal journeys of each novice. Today’s visitors included Hai Nguyen, Gus Hardy, Reed Proctor, Will Hayes, and John Nuttli ’18, a graduate of Jesuit High School New Orleans.

“I found a lot of people who weren’t just going through the motions but who had committed themselves to being disciples of Christ,” said Proctor speaking of his initial encounters with priests and seminary faculty members before entering the Jesuits. “Learning about the life of Ignatius in the seminary, I then decided that I wanted to be a Jesuit. I find myself falling in love more and more with the Jesuit way of life.”

Speaking about his own vocation story that took him across the country, Hardy added, “It is perhaps not a path I would have chosen on my own, but I choose it every day with joy.”

“Everybody’s vocation is really just six words: ‘Jesus loves me. I love him.’” summed up Nguyen, who is a native of Vietnam and who travelled across the world to pursue his own Jesuit vocation. “What you are hearing about from these men today is the desire of God to encounter each human being on a personal level.”

Throughout their time as students, Jesuit High School students are afforded the opportunity to interact with men at various stages of formation in the classroom, on retreats, and on athletic teams. From novices to scholastics to priests, Jesuits themselves have an undeniable impact on the development of each Blue Jay during his time on Carrolton & Banks.