~ Sean Towey, nSJ on the novice summer

This summer, 17 Oregon and California novices attempted the Oregon Trail backwards, lead by California Novitiate Socius Chris “Trail Boss” Nguyen. With Chris’ tremendous leadership, and modern conveniences like cars and fast-food restaurants, the five car caravan traveled 1,193 miles before arriving in Denver to spend a month taking classes on the history of the Society of Jesus with novices from Jamaica, Canada, and the rest of the U.S. Assistancy. By the grace of God, all the novices made it to the destination.

Over three nights we toured three different Indian Reservations, spending time with Tom Connolly, SJ and the Coeur d’Alenes, Drew Maddock, SJ and the Flatheads, and the Arapaho and Shoshone people on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Each tribe welcomed us into their land by sharing their food and their history with us, emphasizing the journey their people and the Society of Jesus have taken together for 150 years.

As the last surviving witness, Connolly talked about the construction of the Cataldo Mission before celebrating Mass there. At St. Ignatius, two parishioners prepared breakfast for the starving pilgrims while former Jesuit and Flathead elder Vic Sharlo spoke about his experience as a Native American. Finally, the Arapahos and Shoshone included us in their Mass and potluck that concluded the Novena of the Sacred Heart.

Most inspiring was the interest the Californians showed in this integral part of Oregon Jesuit culture and history. They continually asked questions about Native spirituality and about the continuing works on different reservations. The pride and joy each novice took from the Society’s long history with Native Americans portrayed the universality of the Ignatian approach as we continue to grow and move forward together.