About the Program

Introduction
The Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) is one of the largest religious orders in the Catholic Church. It was founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola, a Basque nobleman and soldier. Today there are over 20,000 Jesuits serving the Church in 112 nations on six continents. First Studies is the stage of Jesuit formation that follows the two-year novitiate. During this time of study and preparation for ordination to the Catholic priesthood, the Jesuit is called a scholastic.  There are two other First Studies programs in the United States: Bellarmine Hall at St. Louis University and Loyola University of Chicago.  

First Studies at Fordham integrates philosophical and theological studies with the mission of the Society of Jesus today, its preferential option for the poor, and its promotion of justice in the service of the faith--in short, Jesuit ministerial formation. The typical first studies plan lasts for three years, which includes the equivalent of one year of theology.

Companions of Jesus
The theological underpinning of the First Studies Program is our affirmation in faith that we want to be companions of Jesus Christ. Hence we take our key from the Incarnation. Jesus is the Word of God who has come in flesh, within history, in deep solidarity with the human race, to unite us to our God. Our formational task is to develop a wisdom-filled charity like that of Christ through intellectually rigorous studies in philosophy and theology, through apostolic work and reflection, and through shared life in Jesuit community. Click here for An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality in PDF.

Spiritual Component
At the core of the Ciszek Hall program is constant attention to human and spiritual growth. In addition to daily Eucharist, the community provides opportunities for prayer in common, especially morning and night prayer. Communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, occasional days of recollection, an annual vow renovation retreat, and other retreat opportunities are offered as part of the community's program. In addition, every Jesuit scholastic is engaged in ongoing spiritual direction. 

Academic Component
The academic component of the program typically offers a three-year integrated sequence of philosophy and theology courses. The courses are offered in the graduate division of Fordham University's departments of philosophy, theology and the School of Religion and Religious Education.  Jesuit scholastics may also take courses at Union Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary, Columbia University, New School University, New York University, and the graduate division of the City University of New York which all participate in a consortium to which Fordham belongs.

The philosophy component prepares Jesuit scholastics to take the De Universa examination and fulfill the requirements of the M.A.P.R. degree (Master of Arts in Philosophical Resources) by the end of the third year. The theology component initiates the Jesuit scholastic into the major disciplines of theology, anticipating later academic work in the field such as the Master of Divinity degree. The Director of the M.A.P.R program is Fr. Christopher Cullen, S.J.

Apostolic Component
Jesuit Scholastics at Ciszek Hall spend six to eight hours a week in apostolic work. The community's primary apostolic commitments are in the Belmont/East Tremont area of the Bronx, the neighborhood of lower-income and immigrant families where Ciszek Hall is located. Many Jesuit scholastics also take on secondary apostolic commitments at Fordham Prep, Fordham University (including Campus Ministry), and other Church and Jesuit institutions.