Fr. George Witt, SJ, director of novices for Jesuits USA East, has announced that five novices completed first probation on August 31, 2025, and formally entered the novitiate at St. Andrew Hall in Syracuse, NY.
Pictured above are Matthew Simms, Jacob Ihnen, Matthew Querfeld, Joseph Musante, and Noah Duclos. We give thanks to God for their generous response to His call. Please keep them in your prayers.
Noah Duclos
Jacksonville, Florida
Noah has a bachelor’s in classics from the University of Florida and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, where he worked as an archives assistant at the library and interned at the Catholic chapel. His experience at Yale ignited his enthusiasm for ministry and reawakened his interest in religious life. He completed a year of service in Washington, D.C., with the Franciscan Mission Service, serving as a development associate. Noah enjoys reading, Dungeons & Dragons, poetry, and nature walks.
Jacob Ihnen
Sheldon, Iowa
Jacob earned a bachelor’s in classics and medieval studies from Brown University and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. While at Yale, he worked as a sacristan and lead graduate accessibility assistant and served as an acolyte at St. Thomas More Catholic Center and as president of the Roman Catholic Fellowship. A professor and mentor at Brown encouraged Jacob to look into discerning with the Jesuits. His hobbies include writing, cycling, singing, going to the theatre and editing manuscripts.
Joseph Musante
Bel Air, Maryland
Joseph received a bachelor’s in philosophy from Saint Joseph’s University (SJU), where he sang with the chapel choir and did volunteer work in Appalachia, Philadelphia and El Paso, Texas, at the border. He was a full-time volunteer with the Kino Border Initiative, providing humanitarian assistance to migrants. His experience of the campus ministry community at SJU, his work with those on the margins, and his mentor, Fr. Peter Clark, SJ, all influenced his decision to join the Society. Joseph likes to swim, read and draw.
Matthew Querfeld
West Hartford, Connecticut
Matthew earned a bachelor’s in business administration and minored in philosophy at Fordham University, studying abroad in London his junior year. While at Fordham, he had the opportunity to meet Jesuits at “Java with the Jesuits” events, through spiritual direction and as professors in philosophy courses. He served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at the Father McKenna Center in Washington, D.C., assisting at the welcome desk and in the food pantry. Matthew is a runner and reader and is learning to play guitar.
Matthew Simms
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Matthew has a bachelor’s in environmental studies from the University of Scranton. He worked as a youth and young adult minister, which kindled a desire to teach in a classroom after he co-taught confirmation classes. He then taught at Jesuit High School in Tampa as a member of the Mission Corps. Ministering to young people is a motivating factor for him to live and serve in the Society. Matthew is an Eagle Scout and enjoys hiking, biking, golf, skiing, boating, fishing and bird-watching.
