During a simple ceremony held in the novitiate of two Polish provinces (PMA, PME) and the Russian Independent Region (RUS), located in Gdynia, Poland, 10 first-year novices received their cassocks.
The event was preceded by a 30-day-long so-called „great retreat” during which the candidates reflected on their vocation and relationship with God in light of the Ignatian spirituality.
The ceremony began with a liturgy of the word. The novitiate’s master, Fr. Piotr Szymański SJ, recalled words from the Gospel according to Matthew (5:16): No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” In the same way your cassock should be a visible sign of your love to Jesus” he added.
Later on each of the young jesuits received a cassock and the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus. Older colleagues helped them wearing the new outfit, which since that moment would be obligatory for all novitiate activities.
