The final hurdle

When a Jesuit has finished his studies and worked in some ministry for a couple of years, there is one final hurdle, called Tertianship, to be crossed before his “formation” is complete. The European Tertianship programme based at Manresa, Dublin, kicked off on 19 September with twelve English-speaking Tertians from all over Europe, including two from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. For the first time on this programme there are two Irish Jesuits, Piaras Jackson and Brendan McManus. This one-year renewal course involves going back to the Jesuit sources, including Ignatius’ Autobiography and Constitutions; making a 30-day retreat; and working for two and a half months in some pastoral ministry, followed by systematic reflection on the experience. See Brendan’s photos here.