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Jesuits ordinarily live in communities, some small and others large, depending on the kinds of ministries in which we are engaged. Occasionally a Jesuit may live alone because his work or study places him at a distance from a local community, but he remains attached to a larger community. We share all things in common, owning nothing in our own name. We derive strength for our ministries from our relationship with Jesus in prayer, as well as from the mutual support, understanding and encouragement we receive from our brother Jesuits.
We commit ourselves to this vocation with lifelong vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The primary purpose of these vows is freedom - freedom for loving God above all things and our neighbor justly, and freedom for mission.
- Our commitment to chaste celibacy does not mean avoidance of healthy human intimacy, but rather freedom for loving spiritually and universally.
- Our vow of poverty does not mean destitution, but rather simplicity of lifestyle for the sake of apostolic mobility and an unencumbered spirit. It also implies interdependency on one another for all material sustenance and financial support.
- Our obedience does not mean blind subservience or an avoidance of personal responsibility, but rather apostolic availability in the context of dialogue and discussion.
Because we are called to this way of life by God for the sake of apostolic service to God's people, we commit ourselves to the Society of Jesus for our entire lives. Many of us outlive our ability to engage in active apostolic works. In our golden years, our ministerial assignment is "to pray for the needs of the Church and the Society of Jesus." During those years, a Jesuit's material needs are cared for at a Jesuit-run health-care facility in Weston, Massachusetts, called Campion Health Center. For information on how to make a gift to support our elder and infirm Jesuits, please click on the following link.
We are supported in part by our apostolic works, but mainly by the freewill offerings of those who believe in the value of our way of life and the works we do. To find out how you can help support us and promote our works, click on the button Support Our Work.
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