A Great [and tame] Bachelor Party

I thought I would tell you all briefly about a special celebration that our first-year brothers organized for the 9 of us "vow men" this past Friday while we were on vacation.  It was envisioned in a sense as a "bachelor party," although that term has unfortunately been sullied by some less-than-virtuous connotations :).  Nevertheless, this was meant to be a time of enjoying one another's company before we make this commitment and part ways (in good Jesuit-style) to the "four winds" on our various missions.

After Mass and breakfast, we went to a nearby river and rented canoes.  It was an 11 mile ride that was scenic, contemplative, and quite humorous as many of us frequently banged into rocks, tipped over, etc. because of how shallow the water was.  At one point I seriously feared for my life when we lost our canoe in some "rapids," and I was stuck in the fast waters and rocks.  I prayed the Blessed Mother would "save me," and, thank God, I eventually stumbled to shore.

That evening we went by boat to a local restaurant on the lake.  On the way there, we stopped the boat and some of the guys shared toasts, etc. and why they are taking vows.  These were heartfelt, funny, and spoke to the close bond that we have. One of the comments that most struck me was by one of my vow-brothers who said a former girlfriend had recently told him that in seeing the way he has surrendered in the novitiate, "no woman could have reigned you in like God has."

I treated myself to a barbecue chicken pizza and a pina  colada.  Later in the night one of my first-year brothers took the liberty of ordering me a second :)  It was a beautiful night and a treasure of a memory.