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To follow Jesus in the manner of St. Ignatius: Jesuits of Canada and Haiti Welcome 7 New Novices

With great joy and gratitude, the Jesuits of Canada and Haiti welcomed this summer seven new novices ; two in Canada and five in Haiti. We thank God for the great blessing of their vocation to the Society. Here are their short bios.

From Canada

Alejandro Lozano  (left) Samuel Cuellar (right)

Samuel Cuellar 

Kitchener, Ontario

Samuel, 23, has a bachelor’s in accounting and finance from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He has worked as a barista and an accountant and volunteered as a youth leader at a Spanish-speaking parish. He has a strong interest in and devotion to St. Aloysius Gonzaga. By learning about the discernment of spirits and attending vocation retreats, Samuel confirmed a calling to the Society of Jesus. He enjoys playing soccer and following Formula One.

Alejandro Lozano 

Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia

Alejandro, 30, has a bachelor’s in history from the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia, where he met the Jesuits, who made the Catholic Church relevant to him. He earned a master’s in education from the University of British Columbia and taught history and English at a high school in Colombia. He also worked at a men’s homeless shelter, a group home for adults with disabilities and a nursing home. He has an interest in history, especially the early modern period. 

 

From Haiti

Front row from the left: Garry “Tiga” Derolus, Mathieu Semervil.  Back row from the left: Shibely “Shimicky” Fistidor, Wilner “Rodny” Alcide, Darley “Leley” Revost

Wilner “Rodny” Alcide 

Cerca-la-Source, Haiti

Rodny, 26, received a bachelor’s in education from the Université Publique du Centre. He was a guitarist at St. Michel Archange Parish in Saltadère, Haiti. The Spiritual Exercises sparked his desire to follow Jesus in the manner of St. Ignatius, and he was inspired by the simplicity and humility of some of the Jesuits he met in 2018, including Fr. Godefroy Midy, SJ. Last year, Rodny served at a L’Arche community near Port-au-Prince as a Jesuit candidate. Playing the guitar is his passion. 

Garry “Tiga” Derolus 

Fonds-Verrettes, Haiti

Tiga, 26, studied philosophy at the Institut de Philosophie Saint François de Sales in Port-au-Prince from 2019 to 2022. He worked at Holy Cross School in Fonds-Verettes as a substitute teacher, as well as a bursar and disciplinary officer for two years. He was introduced to the Jesuits in 2018 through his spiritual director Fr. Stanley Charles, SJ. Tiga taught catechism at Collège Saint-Ignace, which also nourished his desire to join the Society of Jesus. He enjoys listening to music. 

Shibely “Shimicky” Fistidor 

Jacmel, Haiti

Shimicky, 22, graduated from high school in 2020 and then worked as a secretary at a parish. He learned about Ignatian spirituality through the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King, which awakened his desire to journey with the Jesuits. During his time as a Jesuit candidate, Shimicky spent four months at the Manresa Spirituality Center and in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, working as a civics teacher at the Foi et Joie school. He likes music, soccer and reading.

Darley “Leley” Revost 

Lascahobas, Haiti

Leley, 22, graduated from high school in 2020 and then worked as a graphic designer, decorator and painter. He was in charge of altar servers at his home parish and was a member of the Eucharistic Youth Movement. He first learned about the Society of Jesus through a diocesan priest and became passionate about the Society after spending time in two Jesuit houses, where he saw their simplicity and commitment to the mission. Leley enjoys reading and music. 

 Mathieu Semervil 

Grand’Anse, Haiti

Mathieu, 34, studied philosophy at the Institut de Philosophie Saint François de Sales and psychology at the Université Notre-Dame d’Haïti, both in Port-au-Prince. He worked for two years as a parish secretary at Notre Dame d’Altagrace and was responsible for the altar servers at the Chapelle Sixtine Notre Dame de Fatima. He was part of the liturgy committee at his parish of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel and a member of the Legion of Mary. Mathieu enjoys reading and soccer.