O\u27Brien., Timothy J.

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epublications@Marquette

Conversations on Jesuit Higher EducationVolume 41 Faculty Life Issues Article 169-1-2011The Right Man for the Job?Timothy J. O'Brien.Follow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversationsRecommended CitationO'Brien., Timothy J. (2012) "The Right Man for the Job?," Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education: Vol. 41, Article 16.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversations/vol41/iss1/1626 ConversationsIn the relatively brief span of my Jesuit life, Ihave heard the following (or similar) wordsinnumerable times: “We would really love tofind a Jesuit for this position…” The context hasmost often been job searches in Jesuit highereducation, for openings as diverse as the institu-tion’s presidency, appointments in campus min-istry, and tenure-track faculty positions. By now,I hear those seemingly ubiquitous words with an almostcredal inflection; a type of first principle mentionedwhenever job talk comes up at a Jesuit institution. As one in formation for Jesuit priesthood, I confess tovarious reactions when I hear this. On one level, these sen-timents are encouraging. The fact is that everyone, Jesuit ornot, likes to feel wanted. Moreover, these search commit-tee confessions are reminders that there is an overarchinggoal of our long training. We are an apostolic order, and itis consoling to remember that there is goodwork to be done for the church, for the Societyof Jesus, and broader world. At the same time, a simple but importantquestion sits on the back of my tongue whenI hear someone talk of hiring a Jesuit: Why?It seems straightforward enough, but theanswer is often elusive. Why does this schoolwant a Jesuit in that particular role? Why is itimportant that a member of the Society holdthis particular post at this time? Why prefer ahypothetical Jesuit to a competent, qualified,and passionate non-Jesuit? At times there willbe answers to these questions, and theirarticulation will help hone the search for aqualified Jesuit. In other cases, the answersmay show that the need for a Jesuit is lesspressing than instinct suggests.Yet it is not the institution’s responsibility alone toarticulate why a Jesuit is needed. Indeed, full collabora-tion with our lay colleagues—rightly emphasized by theSociety’s leadership—means that Jesuits have at least anequal duty in this process. Looking to the future, it seemsto me that Jesuits will have to ask hard questions, indi-vidually and corporately, about the overarching apostolicneeds and priorities of the Society of Jesus. Given thatthere are comparatively fewer Jesuits available for mis-sion, asking “why?” is more urgent today than in the past.It will be in this light that the Jesuit and his superiorsconsider why a particular place and position is the bestuse of his talents. The law of opportunity costs makesthis an issue we can elide for only so long: a Jesuit sentto one place is no longer available to minister at anoth-er university, parish, or other work—no matter hownoble and worthwhile.It is also natural to wonder what effect smaller com-munity sizes, together with fewer Jesuits pursuing doc-toral degrees, will have on young Jesuits. Will thisencourage or discourage us from entering the highereducation apostolate? The final answer remains to beseen. Still, it is helpful to recall that Jesuit university min-istry is a ‘vocation within a vocation.’ Young Jesuits, wellaware of smaller numbers across the board, have enteredthe Society anyway. In other words, mission is moreimportant than census for my ‘generation’ of Jesuits. Myexperience is that men in formation remain eager toserve in higher education precisely because the work is important. It is common to hearyoung Jesuits remark thatthe Society of Jesus weentered will have a differ-ent face from the one inwhich we will live andminister. Precisely whatthat face will be remainsuncertain. What is clear isthat Jesuits in formationtoday are generous andpassionate men eager toput their many talents atthe service of the Churchand the Society, includingour institutions of highereducation. In the end,however, this is no longer simply a matter of matchingtalents with open positions. It is a question of discern-ment and apostolic priorities. To that end, individualJesuits will be aided by clear expectations on the part ofthe Society, and clearly expressed needs from those whowould love to hire them. ■The Right Man for the Job?By Timothy O’Brien, S.J.Timothy O’Brien, S.J., a Maryland Province Jesuit, is analumnus of The College of the Holy Cross and a gradu-ate student in philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. 1O'Brien.: The Right Man for the Job?Published by e-Publications@Marquette, 2012

The Right Man for the Job?

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The Right Man for the Job?

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