Wernersville 2007

For the past 10 years or so, a group of former Jesuits have been getting together in the Spring for a three-day reunion. The days consist mostly of loosely structured presentations, discussion groups, one-act play readings (and other artsy things), long two- and three-person conversations, private reflection -- pretty much whatever folks want to do.

The happening takes place at what used to be the Jesuit Novitiate for the Maryland Province, now renamed the Jesuit Center, a conference venue and retreat center. For many us of, though, this was the monastery where we spent the first two (or four) years of our Jesuit lives. It's a little weird to come back to a place you left forty or fifty years ago and find that so little has changed!


At that time, the training program for the Jesuit priesthood took fifteen years, with ordination at the end of the thirteenth. The program involved studying/working at at least five different institutions: Novitiate/Juniorate, Philosophate, some Jesuit High School or College, Theologate and Tertianship. My two years of Novitiate were among the happiest of my life and it's always a bittersweet experience to return there.




While wandering the halls, I saw this on the wall of one of many alcoves:


It is a little hard to read...

NOTHING IS MORE PRACTICAL THAN
FINDING GOD, THAT IS, THAN

FALLING IN LOVE

IN A QUITE ABSOLUTE FINAL WAY.
WHAT YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH,
WHAT SEIZES YOUR IMAGINATION,
WILL AFFECT EVERYTHING.
IT WILL DECIDE
WHAT WILL GET YOU OUT OF BED
IN THE MORNING,
WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR EVENINGS,
HOW YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS,
WHAT YOU READ, WHO YOU KNOW,
WHAT BREAKS YOUR HEART,
AND WHAT AMAZES YOU WITH
JOY AND GRATITUDE.
FALL IN LOVE, STAY IN LOVE,
AND IT WILL DECIDE EVERYTHING.
-- PEDRO ARRUPE, SJ



Pedro Arrupe was Superior General of the Jesuits during most of the time I spelled my name with an "SJ." I admired him very much.

There are some annotated pictures taken during the 1999 reunion at www.racinewrites.net/WV1999. Since I had intended them primarily for other attendees to view, there are a few inside references. Please feel free to peruse!