Note 16 — IV. SCHOOLS OF THE JESUITS.

According to the article in K. A. Schmid’s “Encyclopädie,” the usual course was this—the two years’ novitiate was over by the time the youth was between fifteen and seventeen. He then entered a Jesuit college as Scholasticus. Here he learnt literature and rhetoric for two years, and then philosophy (with mathematics) for three more. He then entered on his Regency, i.e., he went over the same ground as a teacher, for from four to six years. Then followed a period of theological study, ending with a year of trial, called the Tertiorat. The candidate was now admitted to Priest’s Orders, and took the vows either as professus quatuor votorum, professed father of four vows, or as a coadjutor. If he was then sent back to teach, he gave only the higher instruction. The fourth vow placed him at the disposal of the Pope.