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The Vows of the Jesuit Order A Tract Book EssayByAnthony J. Fejfar, B.A., J.D., Esq., Coif © Copyright 2007 by Anthony J. Fejfar When I was in the Jesuit Novitiate, a long time ago, we studied the vow formula inthe Jesuit Constitutions, basically it went like this: “I vow poverty, chastity, andobedience to my superior in the Society of Jesus.” I would like to argue that this vow isoutdated, and argue instead for a new vow formula.First of all let us consider the vow of poverty. I have argued that Jesus had amiddle class upbringing and lifestyle, thus it makes no sense to me that a Jesuit shouldtake a vow of poverty to emulate Christ, instead, a Jesuit should take a vow of “SimpleLiving” where one can own property but not in a manner suggesting conspicuousconsumption. For example, as a general rule, I don’t think that Jesuits should own or drive sportscars or own or wear $5,000 custom made suits. Maybe a particular Jesuit willhave to have a custom made suit because it is impossible to find his size “off the rack” atthe men’s store. This would be an exception to the rule.Next, let us consider the vow of chastity. Chastity basically means that the Jesuitvows not to have sex. I, on the other hand, argue that Jesuits should take a Celibacy vownot to get married in the future. I a Jesuit has an occasional affair with a woman he lovesor occasionally masturbates, I really don’t see this as that big a deal. The real problem iswhen one get’s married and devotes a majority of his energy to his wife and then
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