Twice a year the Portland Novitiate of St. Francis Xavier hosts men who are interested in learning more about the Jesuits – and sharing a little bit about who they are and where they find themselves in the process of vocational discernment.

This weekend – and indeed every Palm Sunday weekend – a dozen or so guys move into the novitiate for a weekend of discovery and conversation.

Friday afternoon guys arrive by planes, trains and automobiles and the weekend starts off with a casual welcoming meal. Saturday is usually split up in periods of conversation and general orientation to life in the novitiate. First and second year novices lead things off and the Vocation and Novice Director make presentations about the spirituality and practicality of becoming a Jesuit. Sunday always comes too soon and most guys wish there was an extra day but there’s always the option of coming back as a guest or applying to enter the novitiate in August.