Fond Farewells - October 2002 Transitions

Fond Farewells

by Kara Doiron, BA IV

St. Thomas history professor, JoJo Fornier, has left the academic world to become a Jesuit. Dr. Fornier recently headed off to St. Paul, Minnesota where novice Jesuits from across North America joined him to begin two intense years of Jesuit training.

Dr. Fornier thought about becoming a Jesuit for many years but he was unsure that he would fit into the Jesuit lifestyle. "Sometimes when you are not familiar with a different way of living life your first reaction is to pull back and to react negatively," he says.

After much soul searching, last year Dr. Fornier realized he was ready to make the change. His year teaching Asian history at STU helped him with his difficult decision. "The faculty, students, and staff were quite wonderful," he says. "In a way, because of their example, just the way they live life, helped reinforce what I was feeling."

Before Dr. Fornier left Fredericton, he made many preparations for his journey. Jesuits cannot personally handle their money directly, so he had to appoint a financial manager. He also sold his belongings, closed bank accounts, and packed enough clothing to last two years.

While undergoing training, Dr. Fornier will live by the three Jesuit vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience. His training will consist of exercises that will determine if he destined to live his life as a Jesuit. He will study Jesuit history, spirituality, and scripture and immerse himself in prayer. He will also be involved with community building activities, such as working in homeless shelters or with mentally challenged people. During his training, Dr. Fornier will take a vow of silence for thirty days. Jesuits are only expected to do this twice in a lifetime because it is such an intensive experience. He also faces a pilgrimage where he will travel for a month with nothing in his pocket but thirty-five dollars and a one way bus ticket.

Dr. Fornier admits that the experience will be a challenge. But he has faith that he can withstand the tests. "It's pretty long, pretty intense, but I am told that the two years can pass by very quickly," he says. "I am going to depend on God, and God's people, to provide for my needs."

Dr. Fornier came to St. Thomas in September 2001. STU is one of the smaller universities at which he has taught. His resume includes the sprawling Ateneo de Manila University in the Phillippines and Northern Illinois University. Dr. Fornier has enjoyed the smaller classroom setting and the closeness the STU community offers.

"It was easier to interact with faculty as well as the students," Dr. Fornier says. "I knew a lot of the faculty members and I got to know most of the students I taught by face . . . they were not just another number."

He admits it was tempting to stay at STU but he believes this is one part of his life that he has not yet explored.

"I don't want to be a 60-year-old person somewhere down the road saying I should have done that," Dr. Fornier says. "By then it's too late. So it's a matter of taking a few risks here and there. You have to trust that in the end it will be worth it."