Meet some men whose faith journeys have taken them to novitiates in the United States this August to begin their lives as Jesuits. About half are presented here. The others will be presented in Part 2 from the Winter issue when it appears.

Noel Alamilla

Ladyville, Belize

Noel, 20, has an associate's degree in general studies and a certificate in church leadership from St. John's College in Belize, where he worked in campus ministry. He worked with an environmental organization, founded a parish youth group, and did mission trips with Jesuit Volunteers Belize. He loves coin collecting, photography, and snorkeling. (Missouri Province)

Brian Altenhofen

Atchison, Kansas

Brian, 24, has a BA in communication and a minor in theology from Saint Louis University. Since graduating in 2002, he has served as a parish youth minister in St. Louis and as a retreat director in the Archdiocese of St. Louis's Youth Ministry office. A self-described sports fanatic, he also composes music and plays guitar. (Missouri Province)

Victor Cancino

San Gabriel, Calif.

Victor, 21, finished his junior year at Loyola Marymount University, where he worked as a research assistant in the theology department. He has studied and taught English in China and was active in his parish as a music minister and Life Teen minister. He enjoys playing the piano, soccer, cycling, swimming, and reading. (California Province)

Robert Cortegiano

Manhasset, N.Y.

Rob, 29, has BAs in philosophy and religion from Colgate University and an MA in pastoral counseling from Fordham University. His particular interest is in the psychology of religion. He worked at Fairfield University as an assistant chaplain and led a mission volunteer trip to Ecuador. This Yankees fan plays saxophone and enjoys running. (New York Province)

Jonathan Dawe

Grand Rapids, Mich.

Jonathan, 22, has BAs in English and philosophy from Calvin College in Grand Rapids. He studied at Oak Hill Theological College in London for a semester and spent summers working as a camp counselor. He owned and operated a web development business. His favorite activities include listening to music, drawing, and reading. (Detroit Province)

Marc Aristotle de Asis

Richmond, British Columbia

Marc, 22, graduated from Xavier School in the Philippines and has a bachelor's of applied science in chemical engineering from the University of British Columbia. As a research assistant, he studied the process of converting vegetable oils into fuel. He did volunteer teaching at Marquette University High and helped out with World Youth Day 2002. (Upper Canada Province)

Ryan Duns

Cleveland

Ryan, 24, graduated from St. Ignatius High in Cleveland and has a BA in religious studies from Canisius College and an MA in religion from John Carroll University, where he was a graduate assistant in the religion department. He worked as a counselor at a camp for special needs children and plays the Irish accordion professionally. (Detroit Province)

Carlos Esparza

Dallas

Carlos, 25, attended Jesuit College Prep in Dallas and earned a computer science degree from Harvard, where he also managed the men's varsity basketball team. He worked as a computer scientist at the Department of Defense and has traveled to Mexico, Asia, and Europe. He roots for the Dallas Cowboys, loves movies, and is a fan of author Tom Clancy. (New Orleans Province)

Randall Gibbens

Metairie, La.

Randy, 27, graduated from Jesuit High in New Orleans and has a bachelor's in agronomy from Texas A&M University. He was assistant superintendent at a golf course company and assistant staff scientist for environmental consultants. He volunteered at the Houston Catholic Worker House for immigrants and enjoys fishing, hiking, and playing guitar. (New Orleans Province)

Patrick Hart

Kirkland, Wash.

Patrick, 31, has a bachelor's degree in English from St. Meinrad College, a master's in theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., and has completed three years of work toward a PsyD degree at Argosy UniversityÐSeattle. He has been a camp counselor, high school religion teacher, and caregiver for quadriplegics. (Oregon Province)

Bosco Ho

Hong Kong

Bosco, 30, has bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from California State in Los Angeles, where he worked as a research psychologist. He was active in music ministry and Life Teen ministry in his parish in West Covina, Calif. He enjoys hiking, skiing, reading, and music. (California Province)

Robert Leal

Brownsville, Tex.

Robert, 41, has a BA from the University of Texas Pan Am and an MA in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. He worked for Child Protective Services in Texas and Lutheran Social Services Foster Care Adoption Agency. He has traveled in Mexico and likes playing guitar and riding mountain bikes. (New Orleans Province)

Michael Lex

Oconomowoc, Wis.

Mike, 22, attended Marquette University High and earned BAs in theology and philosophy from Marquette University. He has worked as a clerk and a janitor and in public safety at Marquette University. He sang in a liturgical choir and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He studied martial arts and enjoys video games. (Wisconsin Province)

Joseph Marina

Phillipsburg, N.J.

Joseph, 42, has a BS in physical science and an MS in secondary education from St. John's University and a PhD in administration from Fordham. He was dean of Providence College's School of Continuing Education and has volunteered in AIDS ministry and in campus ministry. He has an interest in evangelization theory. (New York Province)

Jacob Martin

Chicago

Jake, 30, with a BA in theater from the University of Illinois at Chicago, has an interest in creative writing and improvisational comedy. He has written for and performed at comedy theaters throughout Chicago. He also did accounting and data entry work at an investment management firm. He enjoys tennis, reading, and movies. (Chicago Province)

Thomas Moulder

South Bend, Ind.

Thomas, 54, has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. A retired U.S. Naval Reserve Chief Petty Officer, he worked as a mental health counselor and as a victim witness assistant in the U.S. Attorney's Office. He has volunteered in St. Anthony's Dining Room. He enjoys theater and reading. (California Province)

Thomas Olson

Worcester, Mass.

Tom, 24, has a BA in political science from Holy Cross, where he worked as an admissions office tour guide. He was a substitute teacher and an account executive for a telecommunications firm and volunteered as a tutor and a confirmation teacher. He likes all genres of music and has sung and composed music. (New England Province)

Jeremy Priest

Traverse City, Mich.

Jeremy, 28, has a BA in theology from Marquette, where he worked as a resident assistant, and a BA in philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Two years in the navy were followed by four years in a diocesan seminary. He has sold books door to door and managed a bookstore. He has lived in Italy and is a baseball fan and movie buff. (Wisconsin Province)

James Randles

Portland, Ore.

James, 21, graduated from Jesuit High in Portland and has done work toward a BA in religious studies at Santa Clara University. He has worked in construction, volunteered in his parish, and worked with city kids in a Police Activities Program in Portland. He exercises by lifting weights and relaxes by listening to music. (Oregon Province)

Samuel Sawyer

Charlevoix, Mich.

Sam, 26, attended Scranton Prep and has a BA in computer science from Boston College. He was a volunteer teacher at St. Ignatius Academy in Baltimore and worked as a software engineer for satellite communications and missile defense radar. He was on the RCIA team and the liturgy commission at St. Ignatius in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (Maryland Province)

Michael Singhurse

Terre Haute, Ind.

Mike, 24, graduated from Purdue University with a BS in construction engineering. He worked on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and did internships in South Carolina on highway construction. He helped found a Pax Christi chapter at his parish in Stockton, Calif., and is an avid reader and writer. (Chicago Province)

Jonathan Stott

Vernon, Conn.

Jonathan, 33, has a BS in physics from Worcester Polytechnic and a PhD in the subject from Case Western, where he was a teaching assistant. As a research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, he worked on biomedical optics for early detection of breast cancer. He was a Eucharistic minister at his parish. (New England Province)

Eric Styles

Chicago

Eric, 27, has a BFA in electronic media from the University of Cincinnati. He was liturgy coordinator at St. Benedict the African Parish in Chicago and house manager for DePaul University's theater school. He was a media consultant for Charis Ministries, which does Ignatian spirituality programs for young adults. He enjoys skiing and singing. (Chicago Province)

Gerardo Alejandro Theriot

Monterrey, Mexico

Alex, 23, has a degree in organizational psychology from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores in Monterrey, Mexico. He played university basketball; his team was the national champion of Mexico. He coached basketball and did installation of computer hardware and software. He's been on a missionary trip to Durango, Mexico. (New Orleans Province)

Denis Weber

Pittsburgh

Denis, 49, has a BA from LaRoche College, an MA in spirituality from Duquesne University, and an MA in social science administration from Case Western. For eighteen years he was a social worker, primarily with the homeless. He has volunteered with the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland and the Cancer Alliance in Cleveland. (Detroit Province)

Matthew Zahler

Portland, Ore.

Matthew, 22, has a BA in religious studies from Santa Clara University. He has worked as an emergency medical technician responding to 911 calls. He relaxes by taking evening walks, reading, or watching movies; he also likes to play poker and guitar. He is attracted to spiritual and educational work with high school and college students. (Oregon Province)