Going out from the novitiate is always an experiment: how would I find the world beyond the front gate? The boundary that physically defines the house and the garden somewhat becomes the boundary of our freedom. Entering the novitiate opens our personal perspective to new horizons. Our daily routine of going in and out of the formation house subsequently stirs up inner ‘movements’.

Being part of society and in touch with reality is any Jesuit’s challenge that is of becoming a contemplative in action. The first step towards being so is the time spent in the novitiate. During the novitiate one recalls his proper past in light of his present, keeping abreast the highs and lows and giving a name to each experience, emotion and feeling lived.

It is somewhat liberating to be able to choose a physical boundary that makes it possible to review our past. Practicing these aspects on a day to day basis, our body becomes the limit for one’s inner life. Our viewpoints widen and become better able to see and explore new things previously unconscious.

The novitiate is a physical space where one savors such external and internal ‘movements’. From this interior sense of savouring things, a desire kindles to meet others. In this dynamic, each “other”, recalls the “Other”; each person is a Presence that accompanies us along our journey: at times feeling as though being gently caressed, other times as a hard thump. This being said, the other person still remains a presence of transcendence, symbolizing the Presence of the Lord that is always at our side, accompanying us and that will never leave us by ourselves.

Crossing boundaries and thresholds necessitates reflecting about my inner motivations: why and what makes me go beyond a boundary or not? Discerning these thoughts and inner ‘movements’ fosters major inner freedom and deters irrational actions, that is of being slaves to emotional impulses. In this manner, one cultivates the desire to refine his sensibility as to what we encounter before us, and then to choose. In the meantime, one also takes notes and comes to realize the deeper values that slowly start to sediment. In this sense, the novitiate gate, together with the many apparent insignificant choices we make throughout the day, become occasions of spiritual depth. The awareness of such subtle movements helps us to go beyond the surface and search deeper meanings to daily life.

Apostolate work and meeting people facing existential questions is an example of going beyond a boundary. The world at times feels like a mirror, it reflects yourself and you see yourself reflected in it. The other’s existential question, questions your personal “why?”

Participating in the Sunday Mass at the various parishes is an example of coming in touch with the “beliefs” of those around us. Each community has its own way of configuring itself around the Eucharistic Meal. This diversity could be lived as an unconfutable situation or else welcomed as constituting part of a greater mystery that exists in tandem with your known perspective.

Our Thursday day-off is a day out of the novitiate. The sea, the mountain or the city are the points of arrival of the various novice groups that aim to accomplish. Each one brings with him an inner rhythm that speaks to the others and communicates with the surroundings, whichever they may be. Friction and fluidity, harsh places and sweet plains, affection and rest make up a true landscape. The place’s harmony makes itself present in the coexistence of colour and light contrasts that animate what would otherwise be desolate land.