“The Journey: Letters Home, 1961 - 1963" consisted of edited letters to my parents and family about my experience of the Jesuit NOVITIATE, a two year ‘kind of’ boot camp, for young men aspiring to be Jesuits. (The19 Part IgNatian series ran Thursday’s from October 6, 2016 to February 9, 2017.) The letters began with my departure from the train station in Regina, Saskatchewan, and ended with my pronouncing of my perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, andobedience, in the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
In Part 19, the letters reflected the joy of ‘vow day’,the anticipation of the second visit of my parents, and the enthusiasm of beginning the next phaseof my formation as a Jesuit; the JUNIORATE was a time for academic formation focussingparticularly on the Humanities (Literature, history, languages, etc.) and for integrating ‘studies’ into the young Jesuit’s spiritual life. It began the process for the young Jesuit to acquire a second essential credential for Jesuit ministry, obtaining a liberal arts education and an academic degree. In the first two years of formation, the aspiring Jesuit was termed a ‘novice’; now he is referred to as a “junior”.
“THE JUNIORATE Letters home, 1963 - 65" is a 16 Part series beginning where Part 19 of the first series left off! There are many bits to the September 18th staccato letter but the most exciting seems to be about the twenty year old ‘Junior’ being given time simply to‘read’, and, of course, about the plans and hopes for the family visit. The letters in this series are full of references to his siblings (Bernice, Marlene, Myrna, Vivian, Lillian, Rosemary, Mathew) and their spouses (Herman, Ed, Charlie, Alex, Bill) who provide continued support and encouragement by sending letters and photos.
Editing note: (A raft of periods indicate where text has been excised; Square brackets [ ]indicate additions to the text.)
IGNATIUS COLLEGE
Guelph, Ontario
September 18, 1963
Dear...