Candidacy

The Jesuit Candidacy Programme is a period of spiritual direction and vocational guidance. It is intended for a young man who is seriously considering the Society of Jesus as one of several vocational choices. It is also for a person who strongly believes that God might be calling him to be a Jesuit, but is not yet certain. Lastly, it is for a person, who has decided in his heart that he is called to be a Jesuit, but needs or wishes more experience and growth before taking such a step. This stage does not imply a commitment to enter the Society of Jesus, but rather provides an opportunity for vocational discernment.

During this period, the candidate will familiarise himself with Jesuits, their works and as well their way of life.

We are often asked about an age limit for admission of candidates. It is not easy to set such a limit since this depends on concrete cultural situations and on the maturity of each individual.  A former Father General commented that, "generally speaking, the older the candidate, the more difficult it will be for him to accomplish the appropriate ‘disconnection’ and to make his own the values of religious life and of our Jesuit charism.”  In Africa, most of our candidates are in their twenties, though in some parts of the world they are frequently somewhat older. 

As for academic requirements, the Society asks that the candidates have satisfactorily finished pre-university studies, 2 A levels as a minimum, and that they show a capacity for the intellectual formation demanded by our charism and way of proceeding. 

The candidates’ programme of the Zimbabwe Jesuit Province is administered by the Vocations Director who admits candidates into the programe and remains in communication with them.   During the time that an individual is recognized as a Jesuit candidate, he will live at home and continue his studies at school or college or his regular employment.   From time to time the Vocations Director will invite groups of candidates to come together for weekend meetings or retreats.   It may also be that individual candidates will be in regular contact with a Jesuit community in their neighbourhood. 

At the appropriate time, candidates will be invited for a series of interviews to assess their suitability to be accepted as novices of the Zimbabwe Jesuit Province.

Applicants to the Society of Jesus in Zimbabwe may contact:

The Vocations Director

Jesuit Province of Zimbabwe, 

P O Box MP620

Mount Pleasant

Harare 

Tel. 0773 587 026

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Or

The Formation Delegate
Jesuit Province of Zimbabwe
52 Mount Pleasant Drive
P O Box MP610
Mount Pleasant
Harare
Tel. 0773 069 305 / 0734 177 432

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