Bi-Province Days in Cincinnati.

Early tomorrow morning, my fellow novices and I will be driving to Cincinnati for "Province Days," an annual event where all (or at least most) of the Jesuits belonging to a particular province get together for a weekend to catch up with one another and to reflect on their common identity. Typically, Province Days include a special Mass honoring Jesuits celebrating significant anniversaries of entrance or ordination, a speech by the provincial on the state of the province, a few dinners and receptions, and sometimes a priestly ordination or two. Normally, each province has its own Province Days - last year, for example, the Loyola House community split up for Province Days, with novices from the Chicago Province going to Province Days in Chicago while Detroit Province novices took part in a similar weekend in Cleveland. This year is exceptional in that members of the Chicago and Detroit Provinces are celebrating Province Days together at Xavier University in Cincinnati. In coming together, the two provinces have an opportunity to reflect on our shared future in the light of the ongoing process of Assistancy Strategic Discernment. These Bi-Province Days also give Chicago and Detroit Province Jesuits a chance to socialize with one another at a time when we would ordinarily be apart. I'm looking forward to an enjoyable weekend with my brother Jesuits in Cincinnati, and I'll be sure to post a report on the experience when I return to Loyola House on Sunday. AMDG.