~ by Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ
Of all the strange things that make up religious life, celibacy has to top the list. Strange, challenging, controversial to those outside religious life; celibacy remains mysterious, life giving, and poorly understood by even those living it. Celibacy is always right on the edge of being about cold control rather than about a warm-hearted openness.
As you might guess, the issue of celibacy is always part of any conversation I have with men exploring a call to religious life. …

~ by Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ
For the men accepted to enter the Jesuit novitiate, the summer can seem like an eternity. Acceptance letters go out in June and then entrance day in August seems a long time off.  The flurry of activity that was the application process served as a distraction and, as the dust settles, a whole new set of questions arises.  When to quit the job? Should I get a job? How to say good bye to friends and family? What to …

~ by Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ
If you have ever been on a pogo stick then you’ve had an experience like moving forward in a spiritual practice. The two are not that much different. Both require repetition and both demand taking a risk.
In a spiritual practice you must commit to doing it. Getting up, getting in that prayer posture and doing it. Anybody can talk about prayer but only those who actually show up are praying. Starting is often the hardest part. Getting out of …

~ by Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ
“Ah, a hot shower! Thank you, Jesus!” In a year of 365 showers I only say these words the first couple of days after I return from trips to South America. Hot showers there are a sometime thing and I am filled with genuine gratitude as the water hits me. After a few days, however, my gratitude fades away and the gift of hot water on a cold morning joins the list of things I take for granted. It …

~ by Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ

Jesuits vow to live lives that are chaste, obedient, and poor. By doing this, Jesuits choose, in a very formal, intentional way, to embrace what most people spend a lifetime trying to avoid. Why? Why walk into the fire rather than away from it? Because by taking vows we choose to be like Christ who saves the world while hanging naked on a cross. Did I mention this life is not for everyone?
Jesuits take vows to be more …