“3 Jesuits, 4 opinions”: the socio-cultural variety of the Jesuits is well summarized by this expression. There is no identity profile that defines the model Jesuit. Conservatives, revolutionaries, reserved, verbose, neurasthenic, relaxed, dreamers, pragmatic .. These are just some personality identifiable today in the order founded by St. Ignatius.
To confirm this, the novitiate is a real human comedy. It is an interesting variety of characters, backgrounds and vocation stories. This can be the perfect material for aspiring writers: who knows that one day the novice master will not plan to publish his memoirs.
For the moment the mission is up to us, the first year novices, struggling with our autobiography: we will try to be storytellers of ourselves. The goal is ambitious: to tell our story in a web-friendly manner, without boring readers browsing on the novitiate website.

To guide us in this creative process has come to our rescue Father Flavio Bottaro, head of communication of the Jesuits in Italy. In a one day workshop he provided us with useful tips and interesting suggestions.
It was a pleasant and stimulating day, a short dive into the fascinating world of communication. But also a good opportunity to find out new aspects of ourselves. For example, who would have thought that between us lies a passionate baker?

But what’s the point of having our stories posted on the website? First, it can be useful to understand the reality of the novitiate; at the end of the day novices do the novitiate (without detracting from the substantial contribution of the educators).
Second, the story of our lives can help potential candidates – caught between the dream of a life dedicated to the service of the Lord and of the others, and the practical contingencies of this choice. To see who we are, ordinary guys – not holy men receiving regular appearances of one or more members of the holy family -, can help support readers in their vocational journey. After all a choice like this – nowadays rather unusual – is not so weird. What’s wrong in undertaking a joyful journey to grow more every day in freedom to love?

Last but not least, to tell our story is important for our journey: it is a memory exercise to focus – once more – on who we are, where we come from and where we want to go.

Now we have some weeks of time, to gather ideas and write down a few words.
But we are committed to not take too long. Only a request, when our stories will be online, be lenient! Should you want to know more come and meet us in the novitiate!