From First to Third

In order to keep friends and family abreast of how I live a Jesuit novice's life, I'll periodically write about it.

You, the Living and the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish

1:05 PM • , , • 0 comments

Disclaimer: this blog and all its contents are my own personal writings and opinions and do not represent the official stances and teachings of the Society of Jesus and the Catholic Church.

Last night we had a movie night and watched a film with 100% on Rottentomatoes.com: "You, the Living." It's a Swedish film shot in a very paced, realistic, and yet presentational manner. Scenes are filmed in one take, and the movie unrolled as a series of vignettes depicting life of a cast of very ordinary characters. The film ultimately accomplished a display of the little tragedies of life in their humor and banality. A silent plea of the film voiced itself in a few lines of a pathetic character: being kind to strangers. You can take from it anything you want, but that's what a classmate of mine said and I agree.

This morning some of my classmates went to the Most Holy Name of Jesus parish in Jefferson Park. On the way there on Jefferson Blvd. we must have passed by 15 different churches and Louisiana Creole restaurants. The second-year novice who took us there told us not to build up expectations of being in "Sister Act" but hearing Mass there definitely gave me a different idea of "participation in the Mass." The choir was amazing and the music was fully gospel. The priest knew his congregation and led them wonderfully. The community was hospitable, very warm and welcoming. Interesting characters in the congregation, like a lady who is a "private nun" that dances in front of the congregation as a her ministry and calling. It was a Catholic Mass and it had soul. Whew. We left with the songs in our hearts and singing.

So concludes the first post in my novice blog. I won't be posting often because despite the disclaimer I don't want to disobey my superiors who feel that blogs may compromise a good public image of the Society of Jesus and the Catholic Church.

Pax Vobiscum.