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On November 4, the Georgetown Prep community gathered to celebrate the Feast of All Saints of the Society of Jesus. Fr. Brendan Gottschall, S.J. (Assistant Director and Promoter of Vocations) presided at the Mass, and Fr. Patrick Nolan, S.J. (Provincial Assistant and Director of Vocations) preached. They were joined by Fr. Van Dyke, S.J., who concelebrated with the two vocations team members from the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.
In his homily, Fr. Nolan reflected on the great web of connections among the more than 200 Jesuit Saints and Blessed. He shared the story of St. Stanislaus Kostka — Prep’s patron saint — who, as a student at a Jesuit school, pursued his vocation despite strong opposition from his family. Fr. Nolan quoted St. Peter Canisius, who once wrote to St. Francis Borgia about the young Stanislaus: “We hope for great things for this young man.” He invited students to hear those words addressed to them as well — to pay attention to the desires for God that grow in their hearts and to remain open to how Christ may be calling them.
Following Mass, several students nominated by faculty and staff joined Fr. Nolan and Fr. Gottschall for an informal lunch. During the conversation, the Jesuits shared their own vocational journeys and spoke about what drew them to the Society of Jesus, especially the Jesuit charism of being rooted in mission, community, and prayer. They also shared a newly released video, Drawn to the Lord: Journeys to a Jesuit Vocation, featuring the stories of five newly ordained Jesuits.
Prep’s President, Rev. James R. Van Dyke, S.J., said "Between the visit from Fr. Rob Lorenz, S.J. from the Vatican Observatory and Fr. Nolan and Fr. Gottshall today, I hope the guys see that Jesuit life is a possibility and indeed full of possibilities. One way or t'other, as I said to them and as I try to remind them often, living a life in which one is open to God's call, whether as a Jesuit or as a diocesan priest or simply as a good man, is all God asks of us, and God is always grateful for our generosity."
Students listen to Fr. Nolan's homily about vocations
Fr. Nolan and Fr. Gottschall spent time with our young men over lunch