Jesuit magazine (4-11).indd - The New Orleans Province of the ...

ministries
Taking final vows
in the Society of
Jesus reminded
me of something
Yogi Berra of the
New York Yankees
once said, “It’s
déjà vu all over
again.” Well in
some ways it was
just that but a lot
more, much more.
Even though we Jesuits take first vows
after two years in the novitiate, we
still remain officially in formation
up until the time we are invited to
take final vows (sometime after
ordination and tertianship). Although
the process of formation can seem
long and cumbersome to some
observers, without a doubt each and
every phase contributes to the overall
spiritual formation of the Jesuit. Of
course with a longer formation period
also come the opportunities for selfawareness
and hopefully experience and
wisdom.
I explained final vows
to my parishioners, some of
whom thought I was being
ordained as a priest! Think
of it as the Society of Jesus
saying to itself, “You know
we’ve had this fellow, Ron
Gonzales, with us for about
18 years. Why not keep
him?” When I took my first
vows back in 1994, my intention
and hope was to continue
in the formation process until
such time when the Society
would say, “We, too, fully
accept you.” Being fully accepted as a
Jesuit is truly a great feeling of belonging
and completion, in spite of my human
weakness.
There is also a keen sense of humility
knowing that our superiors and our
Jesuit companions are quite aware of
both our strengths and weaknesses. I
liken it to a marriage covenant between
12 The Southern Jesuit Spring 2011
spouses in which each one feels a peace
and acceptance knowing that there is a
commitment as well as an acceptance
of one another, no matter what happens.
Perhaps some in academia would
appreciate another analogy, namely that
of tenure. We recognize the work and
effort that precedes tenure, yet we know
the hard work continues long after final
vows and even after retirement age. It
is not a time to “rest on our laurels” as
there is much work to be done.
Another feeling for me was one of
Fr. Ron Gonzales pronounces his final vows
to Provincial Mark Lewis.
where
y’at?
with
Rev. Ron Gonzales, S.J.
poignancy, in that the stages leading towards
final vows are officially complete.
One of the things I loved especially
during these 17 years of formation was
looking forward to the next stage, such
as philosophy studies in Chicago immediately
after novitiate. In each stage
I knew that I would have wonderful and
challenging experiences, live in a differ-
ent city, meet new and interesting people
(some of whom are still close friends),
and then after three years move on to yet
another experience. While it is true that I
still fondly remember some stages more
so than others, I can say that each one
was integral in shaping the Jesuit priest
I am today.
It was during formation, for example,
that I realized that perhaps the high
school apostolate was not the best fit
for me (even though I was a reasonably
successful high school teacher for three
years prior to entering the Jesuits).
Still, this change in ministerial direction
would not have occurred were it
not for the variety of experiences and
possibilities briefly explored during
my formation. Most men come to
the Jesuits with an idea as to what
they will do as Jesuits. Inevitably
Jesuit formation opens us to serving
in many capacities. Part of Jesuit “detachment”
and “availability” invites
us to be completely flexible and open
to other ministries, even if they initially
are not appealing. God surprises us
where we would never expect to find
Him.
Because “finding God in all
things” is essential in reflecting on
all experiences, both good and bad,
throughout formation, it is quite
clear that the Lord had an even better
ministerial fit in mind for me:
pastoral work. Since ordination in
2003, I have worked exclusively
in the parish apostolate in various
parishes starting with Immaculate
Conception in Albuquerque, Sacred
Heart in El Paso, Our Lady of the
Sioux in Pine Ridge, South Dakota,
and finally now as pastor at Our Lady of
Guadalupe in San Antonio.
Each day is different – filled with
meetings, funerals, confessions, daily
masses, hospital visits, counseling and
surprises that inevitably come up. It
is unpredictable, but the fact that we
have three priests and one brother, all
of whom use their talents generously,