- About Candler
- Admissions
- Academic Programs
- Faculty
- Student Life
- Alumni & Friends
Jackie (second from left) with Bethany Community housemates.
As it enters its seventh year, Candler’s formation communities program is stronger than ever, offering opportunities for intentional living through residential, neighboring/local, and virtual communities.
Third-year MDiv student Jackie Rojas, who has lived in the residential Bethany Community for all three of her years at Candler, shares what the experience has taught her.
I’d lived in intentional community during my year of service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps, so I knew it would be a good way to have built-in community right from the get-go. That really drew me into Candler’s formation communities program. So did the ease of finding housing in Atlanta—but for me, community was the priority. It felt like, “I have this community that also comes with a place to live.”
Bethany Community is about hospitality and welcoming others, and also about keeping the Catholic tradition of welcome. As a Catholic student, those drew me in as well. We’ve been able to cultivate a space that’s very warm and welcoming and really does feel like home. It’s like a sanctuary from the outside world, from school. I honestly couldn’t have made it through these three years without my community.
And living there for all three years has been vital. The person who welcomed me when I first arrived had been at Candler for three years already, so I got all the information on classes, where to go, what to do. The built-in support system has really kept me going.
My Candler experience would be so different if I didn’t have my formation community. My favorite memories come from it, or from things I was able to do because of it.
One meaningful practice that we do regularly is to host what we call Bethany Brunch. The first Saturday of every month, we welcome members of other formation communities and those who live in our building to come to our apartment and have brunch, potluck-style. That’s always been wonderful. And it’s a great time for Candler students to be in community together and not just talk about school, but about life. It’s a good way for people to meet each other in a more intimate space—with yummy food!
We also invite Candler faculty and staff over for dinner at least once a month, which is always so fun. Another thing I love is that often after dinner we play cards or board games. I have so many memories of those game nights.
Each community shares a community commitment, and the structure of the program allows you to have time and space to create one together. I think that leaves room for all people to feel heard and sets you up for success from the beginning. When conflict does come up, having those expectations in place has really helped.
Living in a formation community has prepared me for life beyond Candler. It’s taught me how to build community, how to deal with conflict and be flexible when it arises, how to adjust to others’ needs, how to build a safe space outside of school or work.
In school, we’re learning so much about how to care for others and build Christian community. Formation communities are such a great example. It’s a perfect space to practice how to apply what you’re learning in seminary. It’s like Contextual Education, but for community, for living. Because what are we here to learn? How to live and be with people.