2022 Ordinations

Sudzer Charélus, SJ

Hometown: Verrettes, Haiti

Province: Canada

Highlights of Jesuit Formation:

Came to a deeper knowledge of God, himself and the Society of Jesus during the novitiate in Haiti.
Taught at Collège Saint Ignace and at the Grand Séminaire Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Studied theology at the Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Post-Ordination:
Will continue working on his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in moral theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

Sudzer with his father (Aléance C. Charélus) and mother (Marie Thérèse Fabien)

Sudzer with a group of kids he accompanied during his philosophy studies in the Dominican Republic

Sudzer with Bishop Alexis Touably Youlo, of the Diocese of Agboville, Ivory Coast, after his ordination as deacon

Sudzer with a family that he met in Abidjan during theology studies at the Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus

Biography:
Sudzer Charélus, SJ, was born in Verrettes, Haiti. He is from a family of four children. His father is Aléance C. Charélus, and his mother is Marie Thérèse Fabien. He grew up in Gonaives, Haiti, where he attended Ecole Notre Dame de la Visitation and College Diocésain Saint Paul. At the parish, Notre Dame de la Visitation, he was an altar boy and was involved in various youth activities. He met the Jesuits through his cousin, Charélus Marcel, who is also a Jesuit. He entered the Society on August 9, 2009. After completing his two years of novitiate in Haiti (2010-2012), which permitted him to confirm his calling to serve the Lord in the Society, he was missioned to the Dominican Republic to do his philosophy studies, where he lived for four years (2012-2016). After his philosophy studies, he went back to Haiti to do his regency at the Spiritual Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he served as minister of the community. During his regency, he was called to teach philosophy at Collège Saint Ignace and at the Grand Séminaire Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince. After his regency, he was sent to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to do his first cycle of theology at the Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus. Currently, he is working on a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in moral theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree, philosophy, Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo; Bachelor’s degree, theology, Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus

What are three words a family member or fellow Jesuit would use to describe you? Do you agree with his or her selections?
Here are three words that my little sister always uses to describe me: compassionate, kind and generous. I agree with her.

What is one hobby you’ve cultivated as a Jesuit, and why is it important to you?
One hobby that I have cultivated as a Jesuit is reading. That hobby is important to me because it permits me to enjoy my free time in a productive way.

What do you love about the Society of Jesus?
I love the spirituality of the Society of Jesus. As a Jesuit, I am called to encounter God in all things. It is a spirituality that invites me to discern God’s desire for my life so that I may orient my actions for the greater glory of God.

What was one particularly meaningful experience you had during your formation, and why was it meaningful to you?
At Collège Saint Ignace, I had the honor of sharing in the mission of the Society in forming educators who will teach in the different schools in Haiti. Forming prospective educators gave me a great feeling of self-satisfaction as it challenged me to give my best self in the service of others. Also, it gave me the opportunity to work for the betterment of the education sector in Haiti. As a result, I have come to better appreciate how important a solid education is for the development and cultural evolution of a people. I have become a firm believer in the impact of educators in general. I am particularly proud of my contribution, through my work at Collège Saint Ignace, to ensuring the future of Haiti through the educational apostolate.