Twice, in 2021 and 2022, it was all arranged for Rodizio, in Portugal – just a couple of miles from the western extreme point of continental Europe. The pandemic didn’t allow us to travel there, the meetings had to be held online. This time we went East – to Lublin, in Poland, not far from the Ukrainian border, invited by the Jesuit Chaplaincy of its Catholic University, now called John Paul II, because it was there that the former Pope studied and taught in the years of his academic career. The pandemic influenced also the selected main topic: how to deal with mental health problems of students? Professor Małgorzata Łysiak, of the Department of Clinical Psychology, guided us for a whole morning through some case studies illustrating a few of the challenges students bring to Chaplains. The day before, we followed a workshop on Non-Violent Communication facilitated by Beata and Piotr Hołtyń. There was also time for sharing ‘What’s going on in our chaplaincies’, in a brief going around Europe offered by the 20 chaplains representing 16 places of Jesuit University Pastoral Care in the Conference. As always, what was most appreciated was the opportunity to be together in informal conversations, listening to creative ideas, encountering people facing the similar difficulties and the same joys in this ministry. The very well-organised visits to several historical places in the city, like the Cathedral (former Church of the Jesuit College) and the impressive Holy Trinity Chapel, a gothic building fully covered with frescos of Orthodox style. A final word of gratitude to Adam Juchnowicz, who took care of everything in an efficient and pleasant way, making possible this so much appreciated and joyful resuming of in-person meetings of this JCEP Network. Herminio Rico sj. JCEP Socius

Europe 2023. Seeds of Hope. The word “unprecedented” is starting to feel over-used. But the past 12 months have been unprecedented in terms of the challenges Europe has encountered. In the face of this, where do we find hope for the future? What are the “seed events”, the harbingers of change, “les faits porteurs d’avenir” that we can identify and address, to ensure that we continue to work towards the success of the European project and the European dream? To share about all this we invited in February Ms Roberta Metsola, within the framework of series of meetings with high-level politicians at our Chapel. It was not easy to get her after she became the President of the European Parliament, however the former Jesuit alumna did her best to find a free evening. It was to be an informal conversation, without any reading of boring statements, to hear her take on what current events mean for Europe, now and in the future, and her hopes for the EU over the next 12 months and beyond. She spoke among others about Russia’s war in Ukraine and European Solidarity, European democracy facing populisms and disinformation, Qatargate and integrity in politics, gender equality in public live… but perhaps the part that was most enjoyed was when she shared in a very personal and humorous way how she combines her professional and family life as a mother of four kids. The initial sharing moderated by Rev Sarah-Jane King (Pastor of the Anglican Church, works also at the European Commission) from the ecumenical team of the Chapel was followed by a Q&A with the audience and then informal talks over a traditional reception that followed the conference. All in all, an enlightening and encouraging evening. The video from the evening will appear soon at the YouTube channel of the Chapel.

In the increasingly international and competitive context of higher education and research, the Centre Sèvres – Jesuit Faculties of Paris continues its development as a formation centre on a European scale, providing solid training to the students who come from the Jesuits, the Ignatian family as well as other congregations. The Centre Sèvres is well known across the Provinces of the Society of Jesus for the quality of its teaching and pedagogy, even though they sometimes surprise students who are accustomed to a very vertical transmission of knowledge. The academic team wants to improve those links and continue to share its formation project. A symbolic and user-friendly material The Management Board has created a new newsletter sent to superiors of Jesuit communities around the world and of some other congregations. Published in three languages (French, English, Spanish), this printed material uses the codes of a newspaper with briefs, testimonials and in-depth articles. Its name, Paris Buzz, recalls the centre’s location in the heart of the French capital, a key city in the formation of Ignatius of Loyola and which still vibrates with intellectual, cultural and spiritual life. A Professional and unifying material Intended for people in charge, the content focuses on academic subjects – pedagogy, research news, key topics of student sessions, etc. In addition to its informative role, this newsletter plays a unifying role internally: many contributors, among teachers, students and members of the administration, participate in its development (editors, translators, photographers, etc.). Clémentine MONOD (Communication of the Centre Sèvres)

JCEP organised an Ignatian Leadership Programme in Rodizio (Portugal) from Sunday 29 January till Friday 3 February. The programme was prepared and led by a planning team of 4 people: Sarah Broscombe (professional trainer and coach from Britian), Lourenço Eiro sj (Portuguese Jesuit in charge of a youth centre and organising leadership training in his Province), Bob Van de Putte (Education delegate in ELC) and Paul Yperman (former education delegate in ELC). There were 31 participants in the training, coming from 14 different Provinces and holding leadership positions in various Jesuit works in their Provinces (retreat houses, JRS, schools and universities, youth pastoral, social apostolate,…). The objective of the programme was to resource people who are leading Jesuit works throughout Europe. The programme zoomed in on personal, interrelational and organisational aspects of leadership, but the aim was to engage with Ignatian perspectives on leadership in the first place. The programme offered a cocktail of input, individual reflection, prayer and group work and Miguel Almeida, the Provincial of the Portuguese Province, was interviewed on his own leadership. In the evaluation the participants appreciated the contents of the programme, its variation and reflective pace. Paul Yperman

For some weeks now, the series of podcasts “Juego de espejos” (Mirror Games), an initiative of SerJesuita, has been available on different audio channels. These are audios of just ten minutes in which, after an introduction to the historical context of each figure, a review of his life is made and a reflection is offered on what this figure can teach us today.  Without a doubt, the podcast is an increasingly promising tool. The offer is multiplying every day, and there are very popular and high quality options for leisure (fiction, humor, sport, cinema), learning (history, literature, psychology), or reflection (politics, thought, prayer).  We all like to listen to a good story. And if that story leaves us with something to reflect on and learn from, we have a double prize.  In the case of “Juego de espejos”, the biography of each saint is complemented by additional chapters “Mirarse en”, in which, in the form of a discussion, we reflect on the reflection that each of these saints can have in our lives.   You can listen to the episodes here in Spotify  Jesuitas España 

Jacek Siepsiak SJ was in Ukraine praying for peace and reconciliation, together with representatives of various religions. He witnessed that people in Ukraine don't only need generators and weapons. They also need closeness, prayer and gestures of solidarity. Here is his testimonial.  On returning from Kiev When accepting the invitation from "Europe, a Patient Association" (a Pan-European association that aims to be the voice of the least powerful against harming greed and short-term interests) to pray in Kiev together with representatives of various religions (in practice Abrahamic), I had some concerns. It was not just a question of security. I did not want it to be war tourism. Therefore, I wondered if it would be better to pray remotely, online. But I became convinced that the people affected by this war need proximity. I recalled the image of Amelka, a little girl singing a song from 'Pocahontas' in the Kiev metro during the air raids to bring some comfort. She later sang the Ukrainian anthem in Poland at the opening of a huge concert of solidarity with Ukraine. How must a child have felt in a bombed-out shelter? Wasn't it like Abel when he realized that Cain was going to kill him? How enormous was the loneliness? Can it only be answered online?  I was also concerned whether it was too soon for the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry, which is fundamental for Jesuits, could be perceived as urging capitulation in the place where it is common to hear not about the Russians, but about 'Rashists'.  Discussions are underway about what is most needed in a Ukraine attacked by Russia. There, on the ground, one hears most about generators. And indeed, there is a shortage of electricity every now and then (as it was during the meeting with Archbishop Shevchuk). Although Kiev, for example, is perhaps not blacked out, but dimmed. The sight of a huge metropolis with wide multi-lane streets called "prospekts" and great slabs of concrete, next to which ours buildings seems only like tiny blocks, drowning in almost total darkness, makes a surreal impression.  There is no electricity there. Not only in the shelters, to which, unfortunately, one has to descend almost systematically. This is more tiring than the raids themselves. One could say that it is not too dangerous. That the rockets in Kiev itself rarely kill. Yet the prolonged sense of danger takes its toll on the psyche. How much can one bear?  They want us to know Such tension is exhausting. But loneliness is also hard to bear. And it's not just that the front takes away fathers, husbands and brothers. It is also experienced what I think Abel suffered. Cain was his older brother, and so his natural guardian. When someone like that is going to kill you, you feel extremely abandoned. In Abel's case it lasted a while. In Ukraine, many people have a lengthy feeling that someone who declared himself a brother, a relative and a loved one is now sending rockets and tanks against them. This is difficult to understand.  That is why Ukrainians need not only generators and weapons. Not even just bullet-proof vests, helmets and special bandages (which they expect from clerics who refuse to provide rifles). Proximity, prayer and gestures of solidarity are also needed. There, in the place, not just over the internet.  As I mentioned, going there I was afraid that it would be war tourism, that I would feel like in a zoo. But even though there were a lot of inter-religious meetings with hierarchs there, these are people immersed in a 'field hospital'. Often under-shaven. It is a telling image: unshaven nuncios, bishops and priests of various denominations, imams, rabbis... Also, members and staff of parliament. Unshaven, but grateful for our interest.  But all my fears were allayed when I met people from the destroyed houses of Bucha, Borodyanka or Irpin. Some we met in a container settlement brought from Poland. Others appeared spontaneously among the ruins. They told tragic stories of death, torture, hiding. About helping each other. About hiding loved ones and local priests. But they wanted us to know about it too and to pass it on. And there were times when they were not able to finish their stories, not only because the curfew interrupted them, but because the wounds were too deep.  It is about the wounds And it is precisely about these wounds. Already the curia is organising spiritual healing retreats, led by clergy and psychologists. Not only for those who survived the nightmare of occupation and evacuation. They are also needed by soldiers who for months have been in zone zero, that is at the front line. The constant sense of danger changes people and their reactions. But killing also changes, and seriously. It is not enough to explain that it is for a just cause. The commandment "Thou shalt not kill!" protects not only Abel or Cain, but also those who would like to kill the wandering Cain. In killing we also kill a part of ourselves.  The ministry of reconciliation is also about helping people to reconcile with themselves. War leaves behind a society in need of inner healing. I do not mean to criticize anyone for sending arms to the Ukrainians. However, we must remember that as we send weapons (to defend ourselves by killing), it will then be necessary to help heal those who used the weapon, and their families.  Modern, democratic states invest heavily in programmes geared towards restoring to balance those hobbled by killing. The West helped and is helping Ukraine to build a modern army. Will we help the veterans of a war that aims to protect us from war?  jezuici.pl