Last week Pope Francis concluded the first year of his papacy, and the Jesuits, the religious order of
priests and brothers who count Pope Francis as one of their own, have reason to celebrate. In the U.S.,
the Jesuits are reporting a surge in vocation inquiries since his election.
Men interested in exploring the possibility of joining the Jesuits first make contact with the religious
order through regional vocation offices, and those offices are all reporting a significant uptick in
vocation inquiries, one as high as 116 percent.
Father Chuck Frederico, S.J., vocations director for the Jesuits of the Maryland, New England and New
York Provinces, said his office has been flooded with inquiries. "These men are inspired by the
Holy Father. … They’re excited by the example of Pope Francis."