This article is from our special April 1st edition of Dominicana Blog. Read “Jesuitica and The Dominican Post” for more details.

If you have siblings, and particularly older siblings, then you can probably identify with the Jesuits.  We are among the youngest of the major orders, and so have lots of siblings (only in the Roman Catholic Church would 450+ be considered young).  So imagine how we felt today when we learned that our older, ostensibly more mature brothers took over The Jesuit Post. Remember when your older siblings took your coolest toys before you could break them in?  They’ve had 4 popes, and we just got our first: seriously, what gives?

So while we may not have the age and dignity, and while we’ll even admit that they have cooler-looking habits, we have got a fund of good jokes on our side. And fear not, like any feuding-but-loving siblings, we’d never let truth get in the way of a good story.

Power Failure

A Franciscan, a Dominican, and a Jesuit were sitting in a room when the lights went out. The Franciscan said, “My brothers, let us take this opportunity to consider the debt we owe to our sister, the light.” The Dominican said, “Yes, but let us also take this opportunity to contemplate the difference between light and dark.” Meanwhile, the Jesuit went to the basement, found the fuse box, and reset the breaker.

On Meeting the Holy Family

A Jesuit, a Dominican, and a Franciscan were walking along an old road, debating the greatness of their orders. Suddenly, an apparition of the Holy Family appeared in front of them, with Jesus in a manger and Mary and Joseph praying over him.

The Franciscan fell on his face, overcome with awe at the sight of God born in such poverty.

The Dominican fell to his knees, adoring the beautiful reflection of the Trinity and the Holy Family.

The Jesuit walked up to Joseph, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, “So, have you thought about where to send the boy to school?”

When Brothers Fight

A Franciscan and a Dominican were debating whose order was the greater. After months of arguing, they decided to ask God for an answer when they died. Years later, they met in heaven and went to God’s throne to resolve their old disagreement. God seemed a bit puzzled about the question and told them he would reply in writing a few days later. After much deliberation, God sent the following letter:

My sons,

Please stop bickering about such trivial matters. Both orders are equally great and good in my eyes, and I love you both equally.

Sincerely,

God, SJ

Image: Peter Paul Rubens, Miracles of St. Ignatius