OUR FORMATION PROGRAM

Jesuit Volunteers receive the tools and frameworks to:

-Perceive the work of God in all creation, in personal and professional relationships, and in the “signs of the times” [Jesuits: “finding God in all things”]

-Practice methods of personal reflection in daily life (e.g. the Examen) individually and in groups, becoming comfortable with silence

-Engage in regular spiritual and theological reflection on personal life, work, and contemporary issues using spiritual texts (including Scripture) and other resources

-Discern and discuss the challenges of living faithful and just lives in family, community, individually, or with a spiritual director

-Pursue their vocations through deep attention to prayer, personal gifts, interior movements, relationships, and the common good

-Maintain a spiritual life in companionship after JVC

Jesuit Volunteers receive the tools and frameworks to:

-Manifest a personal awareness of the need to maintain balance and perspective in the presence of the forces of consumerism, busyness, ambition, and materialism in everyday life and career

-More deeply understand the lives and resource constraints of our human family whom we seek to accompany and serve

-Evaluate the human and ecological consequences of their choices and follows practices which minimize harm to our “common home” and promote the well-being of all.

Jesuit Volunteers receive the tools and frameworks to:

-Participate in community building (church, social justice organizations, neighborhood, etc.)

-Practice methods of active listening, consensus-building and conflict resolution with their community

-Practice humility, self-reflection, and self-awareness, along with a willingness to be vulnerable, open to feedback, and commitment to personal growth within community

-Develop mutual relationships across lines of difference (e.g., socioeconomic background, cultural tradition, national origin, religious preferences, racial/ethnic background, sexual orientation, ability level) and joyfully put the needs of others above their own

-Adhere to the Ignatian presupposition to assume good will, or, as Ignatius says, “to be more ready to put a good interpretation on another’s statement than to condemn it as false” (Spiritual Exercises, Annotation 22)

Jesuit Volunteers receive the tools and frameworks to:

-Recognize and evaluate the structural roots of injustice within social institutions, cultures, economic and political structures as well as the global nature of many current social problems and their impact on various human communities

-Recognize personal prejudices, stereotypes and presumptions and move to transcend them

-Apply the Jesuit practice of discernment, analysis, reflection, and action to service experiences

-Advocate for social justice issues

-Apply Catholic social justice principles in social analysis

All volunteers start their year of service attending a four-day orientation workshop. During this time, volunteers will learn about the Ignatian foundations of the program.  

JVC Community Day of Reflection is designed as a time for a community (or two) to come together to focus on the value of intentional community in JVC.  This reflection meets JVs where they are at and engages them in meaningful ways of identifying and working toward next steps. Great things can happen when community members gather in a neutral place and share prayer, meals and honest conversation!   

ReOrientation focuses specifically on social justice, and is structured around the Pastoral Circle. This retreat further allows the volunteers to explore the structural roots of injustice, as well as provide the opportunity to debrief and reflect upon the graces and challenges of each JV in relationship to their unique work and community environments. 

This retreat emphasizes Ignatian spirituality, and gives volunteers the opportunity to deepen their experience in discernment, contemplation and the Spiritual Exercises. JVs develop a deeper understanding of how God has been working through their lives over the course of their JVC service year/s.

DisOrientation is organized around the movements of the Exercises. It provides a forum for volunteers to reflect on their experiences from the year, including time and resources for reconciliation within communities or between volunteers. JVs will identify and explore issues related to closure, good-byes, transition and/or grief. JVs will have time to explore the joys and challenges of continuing to integrate the four values after JVC. DisO is also a space for JVC to recognize, cherish and celebrate the goodness and the growth of volunteers and to welcome them into the family of FJVs.