I entered the diocesan seminary. I liked the Dominicans, and I

Pope Francis, shepherd of souls and humble servant of Christ, once reflected upon his own calling with these words: “I entered the diocesan seminary. I liked the Dominicans, and I had Dominican friends. But then I chose the Society of Jesus, which I knew well because the seminary was entrusted to the Jesuits. Three things in particular struck me about the Society: the missionary spirit, community and discipline.” In this remembrance, he does more than tell his story; he unveils the essence of a life devoted to service, and the virtues that sustain such a path.

The first treasure he names is the missionary spirit. This is the fire that drives a soul outward, beyond comfort, beyond borders, beyond fear. It is the spirit that compels one to carry light into dark places, to seek the lost and forgotten, to live not for oneself but for others. The ancients would call it the spirit of apostleship, the courage to go where none would go, not for conquest but for love. It was this very spirit that burned in the Jesuits who sailed to unknown lands, learned foreign tongues, and planted seeds of faith in soil they had never known. Such a spirit cannot be contained—it must be lived.

The second virtue is community. For the solitary tree may break in the storm, but a forest stands together. Francis saw in the Society of Jesus not isolated men, but brothers bound in purpose, each strengthening the other, each sharing in labor and prayer. This is a truth as old as mankind: no great work is accomplished alone. Even heroes stand taller when they stand with others. The Jesuit community became to him not merely a fraternity, but a living witness that unity magnifies strength and that shared burdens become lighter when carried together.

The third gift he names is discipline. This is the steel that gives form to the flame. Without discipline, passion burns out; without order, community falters. Discipline is not a chain but a path, guiding the will to remain steadfast when the heart is weary. The Jesuits, forged in the rigor of prayer, study, and obedience, became a living example of how discipline transforms frail men into vessels of enduring strength. It is discipline that takes lofty ideals and makes them flesh through daily practice.

History bears witness to the power of these three virtues. Consider St. Francis Xavier, one of the earliest Jesuit missionaries, who carried the Gospel from Europe to India and Japan. His missionary spirit drove him across oceans. His community with his fellow Jesuits sustained him across loneliness and trials. And his discipline—the rigorous prayer and perseverance of the Society—enabled him to endure unimaginable hardships. Without these three, his work might have perished; with them, he changed the history of nations.

The meaning of Pope Francis’s reflection is thus both personal and universal: that a life of greatness, whether spiritual or worldly, must be anchored in missionary spirit, community, and discipline. The missionary spirit gives direction, community gives strength, and discipline gives endurance. These three are not only the foundation of religious life but of any noble endeavor. A man who burns with vision, who walks with companions, and who trains his will, becomes unstoppable.

The lesson for us is clear: do not wander aimlessly, but cultivate a spirit of mission in your life—know what you are called to do. Do not walk alone, but seek community, for your strength will be multiplied when joined with others. And do not live by whim or fleeting passion, but embrace discipline, for it will carry you forward when desire fades. In this way, you too may become a builder of lasting works, whether in faith, in family, or in service to the world.

So let Pope Francis’s words dwell in your heart. Remember the power of the missionary spirit to drive you forward, the blessing of community to hold you firm, and the strength of discipline to shape your life. These three together are not only the pillars of the Jesuit way, but eternal truths for all who would live fully, serve deeply, and leave behind a legacy of light.