The first two years of Jesuit formation is defined by its twofold purpose: a time of probation and of formation. It offers a series of experiences and experiments, like, pilgrimages, work among the poor, etc. which expose a man to Jesuit life. Key to this time is the 30-day silent retreat, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, which lead a novice into an encounter with God who calls him. After two years a novice applies for his first-or simple-vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and becomes a Jesuit Scholastic or a Jesuit brother.

[A Scholastic is a Jesuit who is preparing for priesthood, while a brother is one who is not. Though the majority of Jesuits are or will be ordained priests, some Jesuits are not called to sacramental ministry but still wish to serve the Church in the Society. The Jesuit Brothers are fully members of the Society, but have some differences in their formation, since they will not be doing priestly sacramental ministry.]

Coming of his Regency, the Jesuit Scholastic returns to studies to prepare directly for priestly ordination. The four-year theological studies invite the young man to interpret the reality of the world in the light of Christian faith so as to commit himself to a transformation of the world and to the building up of the kingdom. For the scholastics the completion of theological studies leads to his ordination to ministerial priesthood. The two theologates are: Vidya Jyoti, Delhi and Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. Both of them have extension centres known as Regional Theological Centres.

The participants:
1. Fr Orlando Torres SJ, General Councillor for Formation
2. Fr Vijay Prabhu SJ, Provincial of Karnataka
3. Fr K.C. Philip SJ, Assistancy Delegate for Formation
4. Fr Edward Mudavassery SJ, Rector of VJ, Resource Person
5. Fr Kenny Misquitta SJ, Pune
6. Fr Gerry Rego SJ, Culcutta
7. Fr Patrick Vincent SJ, Culcutta
8. Fr Emile Coelho SJ, Hazaribag
9. Fr Issac Kujur SJ, Hazaribag
10. Fr Tom Keogh SJ, Hazaribag
11. Fr Edison Armstrong SJ, Patna
12. Fr Justin Emmanuel SJ, Trivandrum
13. Fr Joe Pulickal SJ, Trivandrum
14. Fr Rachans Lukose SJ, Trivandrum
15. Fr Victor D'Silva SJ, Trivandrum

Fr. Orlando Torres SJ, the General Councillor Delegate for Formation was with us for two days. His presence and sharing enriched us and also helped us to know and have a global perception on the formation programme in the Society of Jesus. In his inaugural address, Fr. Vijay Prabhu SJ the Provincial of Karnataka enlightened us with his thought provoking and challenging message on the need and importance of Jesuit intellectual life in our formation programme. Fr. K.C. Philip SJ the ADF was present for the entire meeting and chaired the planning sessions.

The First three days were devoted to sharing and discussion on 'GC 35 and Formation' by Fr. Edward Mudavassery SJ, the Rector of Vidyajyoti, Delhi. The rest of the days were spent on learning lessons from each juniorate and planning for the coming year's common programmes at the assistancy level. The sessions on 'GC35 and Formation' enabled us to know the background of each decree and its spirit. It made us realize the Herculean task of giving the right kind of formation to our younger generation in the spirit of GC35. The study of GC35 instilled in us a new spirit of understanding, and a new orientation to life and formation in the Society. The following questions were proposed for further discussion and sharing:
1. In the light of GC35, what are the new elements that could be incorporated in the curriculum of the juniorate programme?
2. What are the skills of accompaniment to be employed in dealing with the younger Jesuits?
3. How can the formators use their skills to deepen the spiritual foundation of the juniors?

In our sharing, these were the points highlighted:
1. The approach of the GC35 could be incorporated in our curriculum with special reference to Decree Six, no.9.
2. Initiate an ecological living in the juniorate life.
3. Provide opportunities to develop organizational and leadership skills.
4. Incorporate cooperative learning in our methodology of teaching.
5. Reconciliation can be an approach in the spiritual direction which is the basis for any spiritual conversation.
6. The formators need to understand the postmodern mind set of our younger digital generation.
7. Formators to be self integrated, men with human qualities like listening, understanding, encouraging and non-threatening attitudes.
8. Find out various ways and means through which we can inculcate the rich tradition and heritage of the Society of Jesus.

Fr. K.C. Philip SJ chaired the planning sessions. We have fixed the date for Assistancy level juniorates Common Tests to be on March 17 2009. The topic for the juniorate common Essay competition for this year is, 'Communal Violence and my response to it'. The topic for short story writing was not fixed. The next juniorate staff meeting has to be organized by the Patna Juniorate. On behalf of the participants, Fr. Kenny SJ, the dean of Pune juniorate, thanked the Mount St Joseph community for their warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. A special word of appreciation and thanks to the Karnataka Province, especially to Fr. Vijay Prabhu SJ who generously and graciously met all our expenses of the meeting and who personally saw to it that everything was made available for the success of the meeting. Kudos to Fr. Justin Emmanuel SJ, the Dean of studies of Trivandrum juniorate for successfully organizing the meeting.

Fr Rachans Lukose SJ
And Justin Emmanuel SJ