Journey to Becoming a Jesuit Priest

The journey to becoming a Jesuit Priest is a long process and it takes 11 years to complete. It contains the Novitiate stage which is two years, First studies which is three years, Regency which is another three years, Theology which is three years, and finally the Ordination which is usually in June.

Chris Kellerman is in his first year of his Regency stage in becoming a Jesuit priest and is a World History and Theology teacher at Regis Jesuit High School. But he will have to leave Regis Jesuit High School in three short years.

At the age of twenty three Chris Kellerman decided to enter into the process of becoming a Jesuit Priest. He said, ” I spent two years praying about it.” While Father Rochford joined right after high school and he said, “I liked the life of prayer that we had.” It shows how praying in essential in becoming a Jesuit Priest.

The choice into becoming a Jesuit priest is meticulous and not a very trendy thing to do. But Chris Kellerman says, “I chose to become a Jesuit because I like the idea of receiving a mission, a set purpose that I believe comes from God.” A mission is being sent out to do God’s work for a short period of time.

The journey to becoming a Jesuit Priest is a long and grueling process and Mr.Kellerman says it is like a pot roast. He says,” When you cook a pot roast you can microwave it but it will taste much better if it is slow cooked and that’s what I think the Jesuit formation is like.”

Father Rochford has been a Jesuit for over 50 years, and he said that the most difficult part of becoming a Jesuit was how all of his friends were getting married while he could not. This is similar to Chris Kellerman and how he said it’s difficult to leave after creating bonds. The dedication it takes to stay a Jesuit shows how the Jesuit priests have persevered to get to where they are.

Chris Kellerman has only started at Regis Jesuit High School but he said he loves it so far. He said, “I feel like I become a better person everyday because the students here are such good people.”

Regis Jesuit High School was in his top three schools Chris Kellerman wanted to be sent to. This shows how Regis Jesuit High School has a great reputation and aura to it. Chris Kellerman said he also loves the atmosphere Regis Jesuit High School has to it.

Mr. Kellerman loves the community around Regis Jesuit, this year he was Chaplin of the football team, led the Lenten challenges for the school, and has attended many athletic events, watching his students. He not only loves helping his students in school, but also supporting them outside of school. Every night he prays for every single student, showing extreme care and love for each student.

In 2018, Chris will leave Regis Jesuit and will miss it very much but the one thing he will remember most about this beautiful community is the people. He says, ” It’s a place with a lot of energy and character and joy.”