Right after Christmas seventy-some novices, scholastics, and brothers in formation of the Missouri and New Orleans Provinces gathered for their annual meeting. The provincials of both the Missouri and New Orleans provinces took part in the meeting.

Fr. Douglas Marcouiller of Missouri said, “The vitality of our companionship was clear this week in Grand Coteau; we have been blessed with a remarkable group of generous young companions who are eager to serve the Lord.”

At the conclusion of the vow renewal liturgy, participants marked in a formal way the beginning of the new novitiate. First, the New Orleans provincial, Fr. Mark Lewis, read part of the letter from the Jesuit Curia in Rome establishing the common novitiate:

“As you establish this venture, I encourage you to make it as clear as possible to the members of your Province, not only in word and deed but also in symbolic action, that this is truly a new novitiate. At the Jesuit Novitiate of Saint Stanislaus Kostka at Saint Charles College, the Society is committing itself to a new institution that will prepare our most recent members to serve the Church in fresh and innovative ways. While respecting the wisdom we have received from those who have gone before us, we must also recognize our need for new wineskins if new wine is to serve the Society’s mission in the United States as God’s people deserve.”

Then, chanting the litany of the Jesuit saints, the young Jesuits carried a crucifix that has been in various Missouri province novitiates; they processed from the main chapel of Grand Coteau to the novices’ chapel, where Fr. Marcouiller installed it above the altar. The statue of Saint Stanislaus that was at Florissant was also moved to Grand Coteau.

“May these symbols of the wisdom we have received from the past inspire us to serve in fresh and innovative ways,” said Fr. Marcouiller.