Jesuit Formation prepares men to become priests and brothers who are well educated, trained in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, and skilled to minister in diverse and ever-changing environments. The education and training of a Jesuit takes place over a period of 10 to 15 years and encompasses the following dimensions:

Intellectual Formation  |  Spiritual Formation  |  Apostolic Formation  |  Personal Growth Formation  |  Community Life (living in community with other Jesuits)

	NOVITIATE (2 years): A novice learns to create a community of brothers who grow in prayer, knowledge of the Society, apostolic work, and personal enrichment.  He meets the Lord through the 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat.  At the end of these two years, he pronounces vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL COST FOR A NOVICE IS $30,000 FIRST STUDIES (3 years): The newly-vowed Jesuit moves into academic work as a brother or a scholastic.  He studies philosophy and theology, and he deepens his Jesuit identity through other ministerial work which strengthens or challenges his gifts. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL COST FOR A JESUIT IN FIRST STUDIES IS $50,000 REGENCY  (3 years): The Jesuit brother or scholastic moves into active Jesuit ministry, usually teaching at a high school or university . THE AVERAGE ANNUAL COST FOR A JESUIT IN REGENCY IS $5,000 THEOLOGY STUDIES (3 years): Jesuit scholastics usually move on to formal theology studies which prepare them for priestly ordination, but the Jesuit brother might study theology for a shorter time as a way to enhance his effectiveness for ministry. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL COST FOR A JESUIT IN THEOLOGY STUDIES IS $60,000 ORDINATION  A scholastic receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders (priestly ordination) and is available for his first assignment as a Jesuit priest. TERTIANSHIP (about 5 years later): Jesuit brothers and priests take a year to review their formation, to experience again the 30-day retreat, and to pronounce final vows to the Society. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL COST IS $30,000