NEWS
Jesuits in Europe
EUROPE & NEAR EAST
Online resources for an exceptional Lent and Easter
It has been very hard for all of us not to express our faith the way we are used to. But not everything is negative in this health crisis. If we cannot go outside, it’s time to go inside. We are all invited to stay at home, but we are also invited to stay even closer to God. This forced deprivation has triggered a wave of creative initiatives all over Europe and the Near East to connect our friends, communities and church assemblies, as Saint Ignatius said, in union of prayer. From online masses to reflections, from music shows to online personal support, Jesuits and partners are praying with you online.
You can find here many different initiatives throughout the territory of our Jesuit Conference. You are welcome to join many online activities such as prayer, retreats, accompaniment of lonely people or health care workers, formation talks, celebration of Holy Mass and also catechesis for children or workshops for teenagers. We have gathered a list of over 40 resources organized by Jesuits in 16 languages. All you need is an electronic device with Internet access. Click here to see the list of resources and links by Jesuit Provinces and languages.
ASR
Gospel Reflection
Sunday Gospel Reflection
German
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsr50NBnFjm9OqdSkerjmkw
ASR
Daily Reflection
Daily online reflection
German
https://jesuitenkirche-innsbruck.at/at/1019-tagesimpuls-aus-der-jesuitenkirche
BRI
"Pray as you stay"
Special prayer support series
English
https://www.pathwaystogod.org/resources/pray-you-stay?fbclid=IwAR14iP2xYw5uI7BVso0_llO5B327VXTVhsPEi-PJHo6MRYqMjcxey0AxJtY
BRI
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the cross every Friday
English
https://www.pathwaystogod.org/resources/stations-cross-nicholas-king-sj-audio
BRI
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
English
https://pray-as-you-go.org/
CRO
Mass
Daily online Mass
Croatian
https://www.facebook.com/isusovci/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARC5P302yh_pVDRl6y53c7ZSVEN-wmU9QUbxSN_Sl_7c1SDIkxYlO9SoeVz1VEUYTvm6GfHgISf_8gs6
CRO
Reflections, various content
Various initiatives organized by the Youth Pastoral
Croatian
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh3-BFGjXuSi1nw05RcdUlQ/videos
ELC
Mass
Sunday online Mass
Dutch
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-IfSvgtJ8rg6oSPvfcrNA/videos
ELC
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
Dutch
https://biddenonderweg.org/246/
EOF
Meditations and Reflections
New content connecting spirituality and Coronavirus added regularly
French
https://www.jesuites.com/covid19/
EOF
Lent Prayers
Different initiatives
French
https://www.jesuites.com/prier-pendant-le-careme-avec-les-jesuites-et-la-famille-ignatienne/?fbclid=IwAR2ylGOFPnvfOnbbkjGAY_QI4B7-h__um26oPJAGQxjL4WAZjQhyd4Tt26g
EOF
Initiatives for Youth
Various initiatives for teenagers
French
https://www.facebook.com/MEJFrance/
EOF
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
French
https://prieenchemin.org/
ESP
Mass
Daily online mass at 8 pm
Spanish
https://www.youtube.com/user/JesuitasESP
ESP
Online support for lonely people
Online accompaning of people that may feel lonely on Quarantine
Spanish
https://noestassolo.es/
ESP
Guided prayer
Guided prayer online on instagram live 3 times a week
Spanish
https://www.instagram.com/serjesuita/?hl=en
ESP
Interactive Chats
Interactive Chats on instagram live with VOCESSJ team
Spanish
https://www.instagram.com/vocesesejota/?hl=en
ESP
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
Spanish
https://rezandovoy.org/
ESP
Online support for Health Caretakers
Online accompaning for those who work with sick people: doctors, nurses, hospital staff
Spanish
https://sanitarios.noestassolo.es/
EUM
Get up and walk
Daily Prayer
Italian
https://getupandwalk.gesuiti.it/
EUM (Malta)
Prayer Sharing
Social Media sharing prayers sent by users
English
https://www.facebook.com/chaplaincy/?__tn__=kCH-R&eid=ARC4hQzwrk7zdUAzx2KnEhVsWily3pbDLOj-oO4pBE76crYFdifx47tZ4hkbcxZLNs-pBez4VK7MFkmJ&hc_ref=ARTrqTNDn_4yp4KXxp_cKFKMrciaPb6W4FwjzDEkLmKWXK6TlSl2ddJlq_U5VYqn2qo&fref=nf
EUM (Romania)
Meditations on the liturgy
Every Tuesday
Romanian
https://www.facebook.com/Scoalalaiezuiti/?__tn__=kCH-R&eid=ARBU6m3KYqwQ1hxFRZfc2Uya9TYnoUQ9ZNJC1znrfIjFMCvh3TKfP4bbbosjOKPjwjEtKgP54zBApH0A&hc_ref=ARR3OGJKZMzK1Dt6pvELi9zj1mmEdBQN1uBXshgfwjSolsThm7GX05sGMqn8okKgcWA&ref=nf_target
EUM(Italy)
Spiritual Exercises
Online Spiritual Exercises
Italian
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_5F3PTVRAGF4TKav9ziAIS3JVRyil8OH
EUM(Italy)
Lent Preparation
Online Lent Preparation
Italian
http://prexeucharistica.org/it/EVIDENZA.php
GER
One minute homily
Weekly online gospel reflection
German
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfRuclDg5Z6Vcxsg72OapWg/videos
GER
Ignatian Neigborghood help
Online Pastoral care
German
https://www.jesuiten.org/news/digitale-ignatianische-nachbarschaftshilfe
GER
St Ignatius Parish
Parish activities online from Franckfurt
German
http://ignatius.de/
HIB
Reflections, various content
New content connecting spirituality and Coronavirus added regularly
English
https://www.jesuit.ie/coronavirus/
HUN
Mass, Adoration, Examen, other
Various Daily online spiritual initiatives
Hungarian
https://jezsuita.hu/online-lelkipasztorkodas/?fbclid=IwAR3wL7eNpvO9uQWOTECF5MZrDQD_GMraqXdH2tPv-X5IM1fanOHc_E36PzU
HUN
Prayer
Daily Prayer
Hungarian
https://www.mixcloud.com/napiutravalo/
JCEP
Pray together
Online resources for praying together
Several
https://jesuits.eu/join-the-mission/pray-together
LIT
Daily Gospel Reflections
Daily online Gospel Reflection
Lithuanian
https://www.facebook.com/jezuitai.lt/
PMA/PME
Let's be together = Bądźmy razem
Spiritual Exercises in everyday life. There is possibility of spiritual direction and sharing groups by Skype.
Polish
https://badzmyrazem.jezuici.pl
PMA/PME
Mass, adoration, prayer, others
Daily online mass and adoration
Polish
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqn1lb_mNgrpAOGLEc1YGwQ/featured
PMA/PME
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
Polish
https://modlitwawdrodze.pl/home/
PME
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
Ukrainian
https://imolytva.org/home/
POR
Music, Literature, Arts, Culture
Every evening a different cultural program organized by Jesuits
Portuguese
https://aosvossoslugares.com/?fbclid=IwAR07lVGVeN2brLUlD4hXNZ9bHzExZh8BbscTuyKjNSiPaCb8xb3tAcehyec
POR
Talks with Jesuits
Daily content with different Jesuits and different topics
Portuguese
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeXGIYo5HCM_6IJXAnspWAQ/videos
POR
Mass
Daily online mass
Portuguese
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd270-lspTERIII6pSJgebA
POR
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
Portuguese
https://www.passo-a-rezar.net/
PRO
Transformational Leadership
Daily Online Workshops
Arabic
https://www.facebook.com/JCCAlex/?__tn__=kCH-R&eid=ARB6AK9ZtfU6rq71t24ziHcUTSSVU9kbD3Lp_xBUzJJmQ9sNKBWaVDXdHZa8Ig053IjL_wEojsF09-Vj&hc_ref=ART48y2qkV-n_XCTnsVqYXZWM2VhSwu1-HkH2j-zRvjyLq2abvUCr2vbpwxeuiE2IhY&ref=nf_target
PRO
Pray as you go
Daily Prayer
Arabic
https://fi-tariqi-osally.org/
PRO
Mass
Daily online Mass
English
https://www.facebook.com/jesuitcenter/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBP-6WQZSWTYW_yyIsX_33FovUOrjATsLGegRrUm9DPs0AnCdlFBhPiKdYUCOcexMPXscvl1ZZL7loFi1NMIN5z4-Z9jsK8iVh2RxpWdVmFuiJdKl46mGUIc1X8jqSxlLgStGmjDO-eeLMThJ5RhBoZkB3xqbCnYBvfH4gpTFzmCIVnkGgmb8irqK48w3QgfyeeU6Y1vYis6maPSEYBH7W4sqAGvMcGa1b-jDE-YxxQu4B5nbJ6RbNPb8R_jfLO5ujPcx-Zw7Qtf_-wfinNcPCUTdF2_Y45KFJrgT5Tnt5CkGO9eYZE4rgIuGmaTRGhVFKhLX-S8_MDqE4QVxfDSFDFp99nlun9tgPYTDV2FhQ_Z_QRDSb3JCT1fJLCCQSujnOuRqj3nYx3mZG984sPN1DAMYLgNUSl4SFuCnUdDFZFLgb6aFoYsY3oCjLxAAri2ca4WQObRO2OtyIsRus6dv2hCKqdEj7OVGv0ZV-2Cg5SaHeH1ur-DtFU&__tn__=k*F&tn-str=k*F
PRO
Mass
Daily online Mass
French
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClytq5XB-DG5LOOLpiv_N5Q
SVK
Cathechese for children
Weekly catechese for children
Slovak
http://jezuiti.sk/kratke-katechezy-pre-deti-a-celu-rodinu-v-kostole-v-trnave/?fbclid=IwAR2EXF3gimQhlaq6nlMPOMIGuToCsUp_p7Cdcx3_iAtgqMGIMSfZ8DZnOV0
SVN
Mass
Daily online Mass
Slovenian
https://www.facebook.com/jezuiti.si/
WORLD
On March 24th Fr. General Arturo Sosa has published a video message in 4 languages: "What part of the path to God is the COVID-19 epidemic showing us?"
Link to the Spanish version
Link to the French version
Link to the Italian version
Here is the text of Fr. General:
The current experience of COVID -19 is showing us many things about ourselves and our world. In particular, I want to focus on how it is lighting up various aspects of our path to God and how, even in difficult times, there is consolation to be found.
First of all, it is showing us that we are one humanity. Every human being, every people, each culture that contributes to human diversity is part of this one, varied, rich and interdependent humanity.
It is showing us how overcoming a crisis is possible. It is possible when we become aware of the importance of looking after the Common Good and taking seriously our own individual responsibility. We can only live as one body. Separately, for each person or each people on their own, it is impossible.
It is showing us that there is no difference in age, race, religion or social status within our one humanity. Each and every one of us is part of it, no one is left out, no one of us can do without the others.
It is showing us that we want to walk together. We are all concerned, we help each other to overcome fears and anxieties. Each one of us is looking for a way to lend a hand, starting by putting what we ourselves want in second place and accepting the measures and sacrifices that allow us to contribute to the good of all.
It is showing us the competence and generosity of those who are in the front line, caring for those affected, seeking solutions or making difficult decisions for the good of all. It is showing us the sensitivity of so many people or organizations and the enormous reserve of solidarity that exists: in young people, in adults and in the elderly, in all corners of human society.
It is showing us the power of faith, the strong bonds that unite believers, the love of Jesus Christ that impels us, reconciles us and unites us. There are so many people praying together on social media. They want to profess their faith, that faith which they feel in the depths of their hearts and which they cannot keep to themselves.
I have been receiving information about the many creative initiatives that have been taken both in the provinces, regions, communities and apostolic works of the Society of Jesus... as well as in collaboration with others. I thank the Lord for all of this. I encourage you to continue looking for the best ways to be close to those in need, in order to continue to walk the common path together.
I join in the prayer of the whole body of the Society of Jesus, of the Catholic Church, of all Christian Churches, of other religions or beliefs and of all those who, with their attitude of solidarity, are looking for and are finding appropriate ways to continue to lend a hand.
We do not know how long this stretch of the road is or what will follow after. So, let us ask for light to see the way forward and the grace that we need to walk it as brothers and sisters, in solidarity with the whole of humanity and with the planet on which we live.
May the Lord bless us and keep us as we walk this journey together. AMEN
MALTA
Fr Paul Pace SJ has launched his new series of Lent reflections, this time with the theme 'Ecological Conversion - Why should I change?'.
The reflections (also in Italian and Albanian), which include an invitation to concrete action, and a supporting video, will be published twice weekly during Lent, with daily posts between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. The posts will also appear on our FB page 'Jesuits in Malta - Euromediterranean Province', and readers have the option to receive them directly in their email inbox as soon as they are published, by clicking on the 'Follow' button on the Blog page itself.
Here is the first post:
https://jesuitreflections.wordpress.com/home/blog/ecological-conversion-why-should-i-change-1-lent-a-time-for-ecological-conversion/
EUROPE & NEAR EAST
“I hope that these two days will be a moment of consolation and encouragement for all of you”, said Franck Janin SJ, JCEP President, as he opened the gathering, desiring a “meeting which combines reflection and experience in the field.” Organised by JESC, the meeting of social apostolate delegates took place in Brussels between February 15 to 17.
The delegates worked on best practices and challenges in order to strengthen the Social Apostolate and plan a deeper renewal. On the first day, we reflected on the implementation of the Universal Apostolic Preferences, based on SJES Jubilee Congress recommendations and the feedback from the Provinces. We shared ideas and discerned about the Social Apostolate´s mission, aiming at defining our goals. “The UAPs are a gift” said Luis Arancibia, ESP delegate “and it is our mission to implement them”.
Second day, we entered the discernment from an on-the-ground perspective. At the KU Leuven, Rinald D’ Souza SJ and Nicholas Standaert SJ showcased the practical implications of bringing together Social and Intellectual Apostolates for the service of the most vulnerable. Pieter de Witte and Geertjan Zuijdwegt, academics and prison chaplains, then took us to a prison to witness the conditions of prisoners in Belgium and talk to one of the inmates. The sharp silence after the visit represented a sign of deep personal reflection and a call to hear the cry of the excluded.
Concluding the meeting, Peter Rožič SJ, (JCEP Social Coordinator) invited us “to work together to achieve a common goal of a deeper renewal by implementing the UAPs.” How? Knowing each other better, sharing best practices and developing common projects.
Gianmarco Palermo JESC Justice Assistant
Finding God
BELGIUM
Ecumenical Is Not Enough.
Did you know that the Region of Brussels is home to more than 180 nationalities and 108 different languages? More than 55% of residents were not born Belgian. This mix of cultures, languages and religions undoubtedly enriches the Brussels community, but at the same time it presents a great challenge: how can we live together in peace, given so many different sensitivities? It is sometimes said that, with its multicultural society, Brussels is a mirror of Europe. That’s why the efforts for peace and reconciliation in Brussels may be a symbol of efforts for peace and reconciliation in Europe.
This multiculturalism is also reflected in the public who come to our Chapel for Europe. In the last few years, apart from the civil servants of the European institutions, who remain the Chapel’s first target group, there are more and more inhabitants of the Brussels Region, often from a multicultural and multiconfessional background, who are interested in getting together to celebrate or to exchange perspectives on important religious and social issues.
Homes Of Presence and Encounter
In order to respond to this need, after many months of reflection and networking, the Chapel, together with “In Touch” – the partner organisation experienced in fostering dialogue among religions and cultures – and some other institutions, has created an interreligious network called HOPE (Homes Of Presence and Encounter). As the foundational charter puts it: “We think that pluralism in our multicultural and multiconvictional societies invites us to a spiritual evolution in order to live in harmony with each other. (...) We are convinced that all together we can contribute to a reconciled and fraternal humanity that promotes living together and peace. (...) We commit to promoting a culture of dialogue, to orienting our spiritual life and our transformative action in society towards the in-depth encounter with the other.”
This new interreligious network was launched within the framework of the World Interfaith Harmony Week at the beginning of February, with three mutually complementary events: a movie screening, an interreligious conference and an exhibition.
When Spirit Meets Action.
The movie “Fierce Light. When Spirit Meets Action” was screened in the European Parliament. This film explores the stories of people of different spiritual traditions, who unite spirituality and action in their lives in order to cope with personal and global challenges, believing that “another world” is possible. The interreligious conference at the Chapel for Europe “Le dialogue, et s’il ouvrait au Sens ?” (“Dialogue, and if it opened to Meaning?”) was aimed at all those who want to reflect on the culture of interreligious dialogue, which is not easy at all. Finally, the travelling exhibition “Seeds of Hope” explored the common commitment to a world where it is good to live together, presenting images of human hands in various situations, accompanied by sacred texts and quotations from Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim spiritual sources.
HOPE Network has been created in the spirit of “initiating processes and not just occupying spaces” (Pope Francis). The Network is decentralised and its members form the nodes open for new connections. We started with 11 organisations of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist origin, which reflect well the multiculturality of Brussels. We have given ourselves one year to test our “getting together” in practice. After that year and after a joint evaluation, the network will be open for everyone interested to join (people, communities, associations, institutions...).
The Chapel for Europe remains Christian and ecumenical – but in Brussels, looking for unity in diversity, ecumenical is just not enough. Sooner or later you will find yourself in the interreligious or interconvictional milieu. And you will realise how people are longing for deep intercultural encounters.
SPAIN
The "Women and Church" project of the Arrupe Centre in Valencia was launched in November 2018. At that time it was a proposal launched to the women who participated in the different groups or were linked to the works of the Society of Jesus in Valencia.
A first open invitation was made in which about 40 women were interested in starting to share their personal experience from the particular ecclesial reality in which they found themselves. In this way, a monthly space was created for women in very diverse life situations, but with the desire to create a common environment in which to reflect together on the church in which we live, the commitment made in the present, and all of this conveyed from the stories of the women in the Scriptures. This group was called the "Women's Network".
The "women's network" group performs a group Bible reading that has an existential and intimate starting point that does not elude commitment and mission. The experience of the women allows the creation of a space for dialogue where to rethink more inclusive and integral ecclesial models. It is a way of thinking in community, in network, it is a support to discern and understand "where we are going" that also generates links and that initiates actions of solidarity and responsibility with respect to other women in more vulnerable situations and that helps to deepen the visibility of women in the Church.
During the year 2019 the group defined itself in terms of attendance and periodicity and thought about the possibility of elaborating a broader project which was the "Women and the Church Project". In which, besides the monthly meetings, a calendar of conferences was proposed for a diverse and broad public and which would help to recognize and make visible the women who accompanied Jesus, who were the starting point in the early Church and who continue to be models for our life of faith today.
With these objectives, the "Women and Church Project" aims to be a space of possibility, of dialogue and of lucid, diverse and profound encounter where the nuances, the contributions and the vital experiences mark the horizon of the future.
ROMANIA
The Journey of Fr. Urban.
The discovery of my vocation? A complex process. I attended the classics lyceum. I wasn't thinking about consecrated life or even about the priesthood. Mathematics was my great passion and I also wanted to continue university studies in this direction. I therefore chose computer science at the Krakow Polytechnic. It was through my elder sister that I got in touch with the Jesuits.
Every Sunday, the scholastics offered to teach catechism to the children living in the orphanages of Krakow. During the communist era these children were forced to grow up in complete atheism. Students were allowed to visit the children during the week to help them with their homework. Instead, on Sunday they could go out and take a walk, but actually they participated in mass and a simple catechesis, including lunch. During the summer the children could participate in the 2-week camps coordinated by a Jesuit and accompanied by scholastics and volunteer students. It was in this way that I befriended and came in touch with the Society. Pastoral work with children is fundamental. Several students also involved themselves in teaching catechism to the children undercover. The directors of the orphanages, after making sure of the commitment and maturity of the students, allowed them to welcome some of these orphans into their families for the holidays. 3 boys were under my care, 2 of whom were Romanian.
So, gradually I started to involve myself in this commitment, definitely more spiritual than my computer work. This was a slow but constant process. I started questioning myself about the future, about how to spend my life. The answer came after a spiritual experience of which I still remember the place, day and time. It was the day I asked to be admitted into the novitiate.
The reaction of my student peers was positive, both those close to the church groups and those involved in the anti-communist resistance. Even my parents welcomed my decision with great enthusiasm. Today, after almost 40 years in the Society, what strikes me and amazes me most as a Jesuit is the rapid changes taking place in the world, in the Church and obviously also in the Society. This requires a constant evaluation of the present while keeping an eye on the future which is still unknown. As Darwin pointed out, the species that have the greatest probability of surviving their development are not the strongest, and not even the most intelligent, but those who know how to best adapt to the environment where they live. And reflecting on inculturation, I am convinced that the Society belongs to this species.
GERMANY
Despite all the diversity in the Jesuit parishes they have something in common: the situation has changed drastically everywhere, but the city pastoral could be an answer. The pastors and city pastors of the Jesuits from Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany have met for their traditional common exchange to share experiences and challenges. This time the meeting place was Nuremberg.
As always, much time was taken for the reports from the individual locations. Each place has its possibilities, but also its construction sites and challenges. While some have a relatively large amount of money at their disposal, others have to get by with little. Some have a comparatively large number of staff, while others have to rely largely on volunteers. Some locations have a social focus, others celebrate classical liturgies with an orchestra, and still others try to reach new target groups with avant-garde event formats. Sometimes the focus is on young families, sometimes on the upper middle class.
In principle, however, it is evident in all places that the situation is changing drastically and that it will no longer be possible to maintain the longstanding in this form. If only because of the alarming situation of the order and the church in general. The Provincial of the Austrian Province, Bernhard Bürgler SJ, also made this clear at the end of the three days. You don't have to be a prophet - a sober look at the numbers is enough to know: we can't "hold" everything anymore. The question is only: Where do we withdraw and where do we remain present?
Responding strategically to change
A highlight of the three-day meeting was the statement of the Regensburg pastoral theology professor Dr. Ute Leimgruber. She had carefully studied the internet pages of the SJ places and tried to cut a path into the "urban jungle": What does city pastoral mean? What are the possibilities and limits? The church is in a market situation. It is necessary to be present in space and time and to develop a clever, unobtrusive but effective mission strategy. It is necessary to "offer permanent opportunities", says the Regensburg lecturer. You have to be there reliably, knowing full well that fewer and fewer people are coming regularly. But when they do come, they have to find people to talk to.
The still dominant parochial territorial system is still taking effect, but less and less. We are still marked by the Tridentine Council: all Catholics belong to some parish and must be "provided for". "Do not try to save the parishes that are going down", was on the other hand to be heard from the round.
Instead, according to Mrs. Leimgruber, one could offer a pastoral care of the "third place": In order for people in the cities to be able to live well, they need a "third place" - besides their own home and workplace. This place could be the city churches with their offers. But they must first assert themselves against other providers (e.g. libraries, educational or sports facilities, etc.) and prove themselves. The orders have opportunities here which the diocesan church does not (no longer) have, because the securing of the pastoral basic service already demands all financial and personnel resources from them.
Citypastoral must be different
Ansgar Wiedenhaus SJ and his colleague, pastoral adviser Jürgen Kaufmann, showed how a city pastoral can look like in a modern city. There are already many Catholic parishes in Nuremberg - there is really no need for another one! Instead, they try to make additional offers which are not available in the standard parish: Fire artists illuminate the feast of Pentecost, a literary Good Friday or artists dancing on ropes in the middle of the nave! There are offers for mourners, memorial services for deceased drug addicts and their surviving dependents, alternative celebrations of saints (St. Patrick's Day, St. Andrews Day, Valentine's Day, Ignatius, St. Nicholas...), blues and soul for Bethlehem instead of classical Christmas mass, and much more. With many formats you can reach people who otherwise would never enter a church, according to the two theologians from Nuremberg. But of course there is also the normal standard program like masses and confessions! And the alternative city tour with the homeless man Klaus on Tuesday evening showed that commitment for the poor is also on the agenda there. He showed neuralgic points in the city centre, like the warming room with automatic cutlery machines, a public toilet, which is used as a sleeping place, or the Sleepin, in which young runaways can stay overnight.
Citypastoral of the Jesuits
How should the citypastoral of the Jesuits be arranged in the future? Here one did not agree. While Ludger Joos SJ from Göttingen advocates to focus on the empowerment and training of lay people for services in a post-priestly time, Andreas Leblang simply advocates focusing and concentrating on the Mass. "This is and remains the centre of our actions!" Opinions were also divided on the question of what is efficient and what is not: Can one play off the commitment in a school against that of a pastor and vice versa? Should one "sacrifice" large colleges in order to be able to tackle new projects or does the whole Order disappear from the public eye with the institution? With what do we do "the greater the service" for the local Church? Where are the spiritual focal points? These questions could never and probably never can be completely clarified. Many things remain open. One thing is clear: city chaplains are on the pulse of the times like few others. A very exciting field of work!
The pastors and city chaplains from Stockholm - St. Eugenia (Fr. Dominik Terstriep SJ), Hamburg - St. Ansgar / Kleiner Michel (Fr. Philipp Görtz SJ), Göttingen - St. Michael (Fr. Ludger Joos SJ), Frankfurt - St. Ignatius (Fr. Bernd Günther SJ and Fabian Loudwin SJ), Frankfurt - St. Canisius (Fr. Manfred Hösl SJ), Munich - St. Michael (Fr. Andreas Leblang SJ), Linz - Alter Dom (Fr. Fritz Sperringer SJ), Vienna - St. Rupprecht (Fr. Alois Riedlsberger SJ) and Lucerne - Jesuit Church (Fr. Hansruedi Kleiber SJ).
Promoting Justice
EUROPE & NEAR EAST
An invitation to all Jesuits and partners in mission.
On the occasion of the Global Ignatian Advocacy Network meeting on Migration that took place in Washington, D.C. from February 3-7, 2020, we want to invite all Jesuits, Jesuit works, and our broader Ignatian family to expand our advocacy efforts on behalf of our migrant brothers and sisters.
Thank you!
First of all, we thank the many among you who have gone a long way already in creating a culture of hospitality by living out Pope Francis’s reminder that, “Throughout the whole world, men and women—migrants—face dangerous journeys to flee violence, to flee from war, to escape from poverty. They experience the indifference, the hostility of the desert, the rivers and the seas…. we
can and we must give witness that there is not only hostility and indifference, but that every person is precious to God and loved by him. Hospitality is important. It tells us that those who are weak and vulnerable, those who have little to offer materially but find their wealth in God, can present valuable messages for the good of all. Hospitality belongs to the tradition of Christian communities and families.” (Vatican, January 20, 2020). Above all, hospitality provides us with the opportunity to build a more just society and a more fraternal world.
Common elements that define our work
Through reflection on the different conditions in which the Jesuits and all the Ignatian family operate around the world as well as the cry of the people that we serve, we undertook a process of discernment to identify and prioritize the common elements that define our work. From our contextual analysis, some of the common trends we would like to emphasize are: the increasing vulnerability of migrants in the origin, transit, and receiving countries; the new dynamics of migration such as caravans; the increase in the flows of vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied minors, families and women; the criminalization of migrants and their defendants in several parts of the world; and increasingly restrictive public policies that violate the rights of migrants. In light of this, we have proposed some lines of action that allow us to walk as one body with a common mission across our different Conferences.
A comprehensive approach is needed
The Society of Jesus has long accompanied, served, and advocated on behalf of migrants and refugees. We realize a comprehensive approach is needed to not only optimize the overall benefits of migration, but also address the risks and challenges for individuals and communities in countries of origin, transit, and destination. No one country or organization can address the challenges and opportunities of this global phenomenon on its own.
From the Ignatian tradition
Our Ignatian tradition, rooted in a lived spiritually, provides a solid reference point to develop a holistic approach where one step leads to the next: accompany, serve, analyse, raise awareness, and advocate. The accompaniment and service we provide on behalf of vulnerable people inform our research and advocacy work. As part of the call within the Society’s Universal Apostolic Preferences to walk with marginalized and vulnerable migrants, we must work to reform the social and political systems that lead to injustice. Advocating for just policies is an integral component of living out a faith that does justice.
Promoting a culture of hospitality worldwide
As GIAN Migration, our aim for the next few years will be to focus on promoting a culture of hospitality worldwide where vulnerable migrants who are forced to flee from their homes are welcomed, promoted, protected, and integrated into our respective societies. “Forcibly displaced people –internally displaced, refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons-, survivors of human trafficking, people in transit and those forcibly returned” are all included in this mission (JCAM Statement on Migration and Refugees. Nairobi, January 23, 2020).
Objectives of GIAN Migration
Among its many objectives, GIAN Migration seeks to analyse the reality of migration in the different regions of the world for the purpose of identifying emerging common trends, using research to inform our advocacy efforts, sharing best practices on how to create a culture of hospitality, and promoting advocacy efforts linked to the Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees.
SPAIN
Spanish Provincial implements the global plan.
At the root of our Mission is the accompaniment of minors, adolescents, young people and adults in situations of vulnerability in different contexts and works: schools, social centres, universities, pastoral centres... Their care and special protection is an integral part of our mission in the Church. To see that in the past different types of abuse (moral, power, sexual) undermined this care, has moved the Province of Spain to work hard for almost a year to implement in our works systems that guarantee respect among the people who work in them and to promote the culture of Good Treatment.
Guided by the head of Safe Environment, psychologist Susana Pradera, this proactive system has been implemented in recent months. It is based on three pillars: Awareness raising with people who have suffered some kind of abuse; Intervention to attend and repair the victims, as well as to sanction and remove those responsible; and Prevention so that it never happens again.
Among the actions carried out up to now, the different training courses offered to the personnel of our works so that they know how to recognize and detect possible abuses and risk situations stand out. These trainings are being carried out initially in the education sector. And training plans are already being designed for the other sectors.
In each work site there is a Safe Environment Agent who will be the reference person to go to if necessary. In addition, the system has a mailbox (proteccion@jesuitas.es) and listening spaces at the construction sites to support and welcome potential victims.
A Guide and a Safe Environment Manual have also been developed, providing further information on the behaviours that generate possible abuse and which must be avoided and detected, as well as on the behaviours that generate Good Treatment and which must be encouraged. The Manual also contains a great deal of general information on everything related to awareness, prevention and intervention. This will bring us closer to the pain of victims and help us to develop truly safe environments.
This system is also supported by external experts who form part of an advisory council that helps the provincial and his team to guarantee seriousness and rigour in monitoring cases and improving prevention.
Our commitment is to generate safe spaces, relationships and activities in any work, centre or activity of the Society of Jesus in Spain.
The first steps have already been taken to implement that our works are safe environments for the minors and adults in situation of vulnerability to whom we attend. But for this mission to be truly effective we must involve each and every one of us who collaborate in the Mission and in the works of the Society of Jesus. This is what the Provincial, Antonio España Sj, in a video, invites each and every one of us who collaborate in the Mission and in the works of the Society of Jesus to feel involved in Safe Environment.
More Information: www.entornoseguro.org
ITALY
The Magis (ONG) Lenten campaign has been set in action.
This campaign consists of sending a thousand eco-friendly postcards to targeted people and the on-going update of the site and social networks with texts, meditations, information about the 3 chosen projects on the Tropics. They are "symbolic projects for a change of attitude" the director, Fr. Renato Colizzi, SJ, explains.
"We want to help friends and benefactors to understand how, thanks to Laudato si and the Synod, a change of attitude is possible in order to face challenges that once seemed impossible and understand how these challenges seriously affect people's lives: ever reducing habitat, sustainability, hope by forcing them into the great cauldron of the poor who cross the Mediterranean and the desert. We want to go to the depth of the roots as the Pope teaches in Laudato si., to learn together how it is possible to change and to move from an obsessive accumulation to sustainable development, “even making small changes" he stresses, "to the different realities by listening attentively to the poor and helping them how to respond to these great changes.” A conversion of heart is necessary because it can bring about concrete change: in India formation is being given to the tribes, in Congo awareness courses on the obligations of large multinational companies engaged in extractions are being organised for Christian communities and in Peru young people are being trained to help them understand that, “the Amazon is a wealth in itself”.
WORLD
Looking for an integrated response to vulnerable migrants in and out of Africa.
“We, Jesuits and collaborators in Africa, inspired by the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus and Pope Francis´ call, commit ourselves to welcome, protect, promote and seek the integration of vulnerable migrants.
Our call to serve vulnerable migrants includes forcibly displaced people –internally displaced, refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons-, survivors of human trafficking, people in transit and those forcibly returned.
In serving vulnerable migrants collaboratively, we will be especially attentive to those suffering discrimination because of gender, age and disability.”
This is the commitment reached at the International Conference on Migration and Refugees held in Nairobi, Kenya from January 20-22. The conference was organized by the Jesuits Justice and Ecology Network (JENA) and it has brought together social centers, Jesuit Refugee Service, universities, Lead Magis (youth network), Church institutions and partners in mission from Europe. The objectives of the conference were to complete a mapping of the Jesuit ministry to vulnerable migrants in Africa, to develop strategies for the coordination of the Jesuit Migrants and Refugees ministries in Africa and to develop strategies for international institutional collaboration among the Jesuit ministries in Africa and Europe.
During the first half of the conference, presenters took the stage to highlight the big political, social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable migrants in different regions of Africa. The sessions that followed included a mapping exercise among the participants followed by group discussions that brought participants to a space of collaboration. The conference identified six clusters of collaboration, as well as defined a simple network structure for tracking the results of the conference.
“In serving vulnerable migrants, we recognize networking as the best way to organise ourselves”, said Fr. Charles Chilufya SJ, Director of JENA.
Youth & Media
HUNGARY
Magis Europe 2020 registration opened.
As summer is approaching, there are more and more details revealed about this year’s Ignatian youth festival held in Hungary, Austria, Romania and Slovakia. In January, we sent reports about the launch of the event’s website (magis.jesuits.eu) and the registration process to have begun; February saw the revealing of the various experiments the gathering will offer; and now the latest news is the opening of the application from 1 March to 15 May.
If you understand the language of the text you are just reading, are older than 18 but younger than 35, can keep yourself free from 1 to 9 August, and are open to spend 10 life-changing days with young adults like you from all over Europe, do not hesitate to apply.
What Magis can give you:
Deepen your relationship with Jesus; get to know yourself better; leave your comfort zone; encounter other people and cultures; experience the beauty of creation; and, last but not least, as much fun as can be.
In Ignatian spirituality, “magis” marks one’s effort to find what is according to the will and to the greater glory of God. With this is mind, the upcoming event, already existing for more than two decades, consists of two parts. From 1 to 7 August, everyone will take part in one of the 16 experiments held either in Hungary or one of the neighbouring countries. The experiments can be grouped in the following categories: pilgrimage, spirituality, service, ecology, arts and culture. For the closing festival from 7 to 9 August, in Miskolc, Hungary, the participants from all experiments will gather and celebrate our Living God together.
Theme
Keeping our eyes on the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, one month after our festival, the central theme of Magis 2020 will be the Eucharist, according to the motto: “You are my Bread, my Life, my Love”. Magis aims to do this by exploring in depth the Eucharistic aspect of Ignatian spirituality through the pillars of the daily schedule with morning prayers, noon or evening examens, holy mass, experiments and personal sharing in Magis circles.
With the opening of the application process, our website is more than worth browsing. Our aim was to create an online platform where you may get an insight into what will await you if you dedicate one week of your summer to Magis Europe 2020.
Experiments
There are 16 experiments spread over 4 countries! Here is the list of experiments of experiments grouped by category. Their aim is the very same: to find ways to make the most and the best of ourselves, of one another, and then to render it to the greater glory of God.
Spirituality: Spiritual exercises - retreat in silence (Püspökszentlászló, Hungary), One week as a Jesuit (Budapest, Hungary) and "The Eucharist creates Church" (Miskolc, Hungary)
Arts: Living stones (Vienna, Austria), Living stones (Budapest, Hungary), Finding God through art and nature (Cluj, Romania), MAGIS Taizé (Ruzomberok, Slovakia) and Dance to God, Dance with God! (Budapest, Hungary)
Service (Social or Environmental): Playing together (Tiszagyenda, Hungary) and Green heads, hearts and hands (Tahi, Hungary)
Pilgrimage: Bike pilgrimage around Lake Balaton (Balaton, Hungary), Via Transilvanica - Walk, Pray and Live (Romania), Walking pilgrimage through the wonderful landscapes of Transylvania (Romania), Wooden Churches (Slovakia)
Society and Culture: Exploring English: Learning, Fun & Spirituality
Christians from Syria
We ask your help to support a group of 10 young Christians from Syria, to partake in spiritual programs and recreational activities in Europe this summer, including Magis Europe 2020, a visit to Taizé and attend International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest. To draw from Christian spiritual wellsprings, experience religious community and solidarity, build new connections, get some rest and refreshment. They will affect their home communities when they return to daily life and service with renewed strength and hope. Check out this link for the details.
For more information: https://magis.jesuits.eu/experiments
Please register: https://magis.jesuits.eu/register
WORLD
From 26 February 2020 (Ash Wednesday), the Communication and Public Relations Office of the General Curia is planning a weekly emission of Jesuit Stories series.
Each short documentary episode tells a story of a Jesuit work, which is a practical realization of the Universal Apostolic Preferences. The episodes have been produced in Poland, Spain and India. We would like them to be an encouragement to create similar projects locally. We invite you to publish these episodes on your websites, newsletters and especially in social media. Here is the first episode.
The episode contains English, Spanish, Italian, French and Polish subtitles. On request, we can send the matrix in any available language, which can be translated into the local language, send it back to us and we will upload the translation to YouTube. Description:
The Polish Jesuits’ online community “Into the Deep” proves there are no limitations for how Ignatian Spirituality can reach people. Watch the first weekly episode of “Jesuit Stories” video series about Jesuit initiatives around the world. Showing the way to God through Spiritual Exercises and Discernment is a centuries old orientation of the Jesuits – now getting new life in a surprising way.
Teaser of the whole series:
YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQv1uVGmgg&t=22s
Facebook version: https://www.facebook.com/TheJesuits/videos/152541122850882/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/170523014300641/
ITALY
San Saba Parish, Rome: Luca, Sara, Lavinia and Gaia, four young university students from the parish, raised over 22 thousand euros for their community through social media. "In 2019 the church of San Saba was closed" Fr. Alessandro Viano, vice parish priest explains, "The roof was not safe as it was leaking and so it needed to be repaired." This was an important project costing around one million euros. "Almost half of the amount was funded by the CEI, a third by the Euro-Mediterranean Province of the Society of Jesus and 10% by the Jesuit Community of San Saba. The remaining 25% was to be funded by the parish community ". I asked the young people for advice," explains Fr. Alexander. “They are young catechists and animators, brought up in the parish. We also wanted to involve people who are distant from the parish. The Basilica is the custodian from an artistic and historical point of view of an important historical era.”
Thus, the campaign "adopt a tile" began in June. We needed funds for 10,000 tiles, each tile costing 25 euro and totalling 50 thousand euros. "We set up the parish website in order to promote the campaign and then parish groups started organising fund raising events via social media. These included baroque music concerts, choirs, the sale of sweet delicacies, barbecues and social gatherings. We set up a Facebook page through which over a thousand euros were collected. We also advertised in various newsletters, resulting in regular donations. Many ordinary people gave small donations, friends of friends who became aware of the campaign through the social network. 21-year old Gaia manages the Facebook page: "I study biology, I have been attending the parish for 8 years and I prepare the young for confirmation," she says. "The San Saba community is a home and a family." She is helped by Lavinia, of the same age, who is studying pharmacy: “Here I found friends and brothers. A place of love". Luca, who is in his third year of Religious Science is also part of the team. He coordinates the Eucharistic Youth Movement within the parish together with Sara, 22. The parish, entrusted to the Jesuits since the early 1900s, is a welcoming formation centre. The church opened again during Christmas, while work on the roof continues. The campaign will end in June. The works in progress can be followed on https://sansaba.gesuiti.it/
GERMANY
Frankfurt - On Ash Wednesday the mobile fasting elixir of the Frankfurt Jesuit parish St Ignatius began again. The mobile phone is for many the daily companion - many times a day people look at it. With the "mobile Lenten Elixir" it will vibrate, ring, make itself felt between one and four times more every day during Lent. Via WhatsApp or telegram, messages come in that invite you to take a personal path through Lent. Anyone who has a mobile phone with Telegram or WhatsApp can subscribe to it.
The "Mobile Lenten Elixir" is already available for the fourth time, reports Fabian Loudwin SJ, chaplain of St. Ignatius. "Four years ago we sat together in the parish of St Ignatius and talked about Lent. It was clear that in the meantime the mobile phone is for many the daily companion and a tool for communication and organization of the everyday life. Since Lent is in the middle of everyday life and yet a special time, I came up with the idea to use the vibrating, ringing, memorizing of the mobile phone to make Lent more conscious and to offer a possibility to create smallest islands of pause". The mobile fasting elixir was born. During Lent, the mobile phone answers one to four times a day with little thoughts that invite you to take a personal path through Lent. Sometimes there is a text, sometimes a quotation, sometimes a picture.
For Loudwin, who produces the Lenten Elixir, the design itself is also a special way to get there at Easter. "For me, too, each year is an experience to set out on this journey." Although the large arch for the whole Lent is already worked out in advance, the short messages are only created during this time and are above all shaped by what is going on in the world, by what the texts offer in the service, by what also shapes Loudwin's everyday life. "So I may have considered in advance that the next impulse will be sent at so and so much o'clock, but something comes up in the parish and suddenly I prefer or postpone this impulse. For me, Lent is a time when I often succeed in getting closer to myself again and closer to my God - in all his shades: it is a preparation for Easter, for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The mobile elixir of Lent wants to invite you to follow this path".
Anyone who has a mobile phone with Telegram or WhatsApp can register for the "Mobile Lent Elixir".
In-depth Reflection
IRELAND
The journey from Lent through to Holy Week is one of great significance to Christians, but often that significance is obscured by the sheer intensity of the events that lead to Jesus’ resurrection. How do we go step by step with Jesus when his journey is one that seems so superhuman? Fr Kieran J O’Mahony OSA, Augustinian friar and biblical scholar, has teamed up with Messenger Publications to offer a new book entitled Hearers of the Word – Praying and Exploring the Readings for Lent & Holy Week: Year A.
Following on from his first volume which covered Advent and Christmas, Fr Kieran grounds the scripture readings of Lent and Holy Week, illuminating a structure of resonance that connects Jesus to his Old Testament forebears and to those who follow in his footsteps today.
The book is divided into nine chapters encompassing Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. Fr Kieran guides the reader step by step in order to fully engage with the scripture readings. For example, he presents a ‘thought for the day’ as in chapter one of Lent: “The temptations of Jesus are not at all temptations to this or that sin but rather fundamental options that matter for the direction of his life… In a less obvious way, we too can be attracted by choices which can shape the way our life unfolds… Only the Word of God truly nourishes and illuminates”.
Regarding a connection between the Old Testament and New Testament, Fr Kieran states: “historical Israel fails the test in the desert and emerges as unfaithful to the covenant, whereas Jesus, the Son of God, comes through successfully and models the fidelity God desires from us”.
After further study involving input on Old Testament background and New Testament foreground, he encourages us to pray: “Renew us in these Lenten days: washed clean of sin, sealed with the Spirit and sustained by your living bread, may we remain true to our calling and, with the elect, serve you alone”.
With commentary, prayer guides and reflections on the scripture readings, the biblical scholar draws together the story of Jesus’ final days; allowing us not only to walk with Jesus, but also to see and understand the significance of Jesus’ actions for the Jewish people of his time and for the Christians of all times to come.
As in chapter seven on Holy Thursday, ‘pointers for prayer’ are offered to integrate the readings into our personal lives: “Loving to the end and perfectly – when has that been my experience? Whom am I called to love like that?” Or in another pointer: “Peter finds it hard to be served – sometimes it is easier to give than to receive. When have I hesitated to receive? Do I find it hard to receive from God?” Fr Kieran also provides a section on Study Bibles with a variety of Ecumenical, Jewish and Catholic sources and a Biblical Index of the key scripture readings.
Hearers of the Word – Praying and Exploring the Readings for Lent & Holy Week: Year A sets out to nourish those who desire something deeper and richer than is possible in the usual setting of worship. Fr Kieran prays that the words of scripture may not be just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts.
ITALYMALTA
This is a course that utilises the resources of Ignatian spirituality, focusing particularly on the formation of leaders whilst making reference also to the other objectives of the Province Apostolic Plan. The annual program, as planned by the EUM Province, is divided into three parts: 4 days in September 2019, 2 days in February, 4 days between late June and early July. The first part was held in Frascati and focused on the personality of the Ignatian leader, with insights taken from St. Ignatius himself, his governing practices and part IX of the Constitutions. Therefore, a profound study was made of the figure of Fr. Arrupe, his leadership style and the document "our way of proceeding", the personal management of the dynamics of power and the attention directed to vulnerable people, the characteristics of Ignatian leadership, the complexities of decision-making processes and spiritual discernment in the life of the Ignatian leader. The second module on "Team Building " has just finished recently in Rome. "We have particularly studied how to rekindle the broad horizons of the last General Congregations in the daily activity of the Ignatian leader" Fr. Raymond Pace, course director explains.
"The course also deals with the spiritual movements of the Ignatian leader, the application of good principles and organization practices to the works, the use of good devices to build strongly, practices to accompany and motivate a team and dealing with conflict management". The third part, planning the apostolic mission, is scheduled for early July. “The need for collaboration between lay people and Jesuits will be dealt with deeper especially in the light of how our apostolates are developing. The apostolic planning process is concentrated on integral ecology, listening to the poor, and communal discernment as a tool for planning. Finally, the method adopted for planning is the following: define the context, check the resources, prepare a plan for action ". Expert advice, witnessing and teamwork are all an opportunity for lay people and Jesuits from different works of the Province to share useful and enriching resources.
PORTUGAL
After almost 120 years as a Jesuit culture magazine, Brotéria came out of the paper and moved to Bairro Alto with the desire to become the meeting point between the Christian faith and contemporary urban cultures. The new cultural space of the Jesuits, located in the heart of Lisbon, was opened to the public on January 25th, in a former Palace and is the result of a partnership with the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Lisbon.
This is a project that has been under construction for two years, but which began to be dreamed and thought about almost thirty years ago. The opening program was born from the relationship with the street, since the cultural activity of Brotéria will try to give voice to the concerns of people who are entering the cultural game that is offered, where there is space for time, spontaneity and discussion. It included conferences about urban life, the relation between tradition, women and the city with the church, artistically performances and DJ actuation.
Until May the gallery will have an exhibition where the historical journey of Brotéria is recreated. The magazine will continue its regular publication.
The Portuguese President of the Republic made a private visit to the new cultural center during the inauguration days. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa underlined the importance of putting the different dimensions of live in relation with one another as desired by the new cultural center.
"What we believe is that the relevance of Brotéria as a cultural agent depends on constant attention to the urban reality, from a multiplicity of angles, always cemented in five strands of activity: research, dialogues, communication, spirituality and gallery", explains Fr. Francisco Mota SJ, director of Brotéria, adding that "for this to happen, we have a group of people we call Observatory, which meets regularly to listen to reality. We need to continue to nourish a joint reflection that guarantees the vitality, relevance and organicity of all the activity promoted by Brotéria. Then it is from this collective and plural view that new initiatives emerge and from which the themes explored in the programme emerge. Each theme is this: a process of integrated, dynamic and collective research and reflection that takes advantage of the multidisciplinary character of the centre and the programming to look for possible paths to the initial question brought by the exercise of listening to reality".
The space includes a gallery, a bookshop, a cafeteria with a patio and rooms for debates, conferences or meetings, among which two large halls stand out, both with worked ceilings and capacity for 80 people each, and the Leather Room, the ex-libris of the building, with walls fully lined with worked leather.
The building will also host the famous and vast library of the Jesuit community, which contains more than 160 thousand volumes that are now more accessible to the public. The top floor of the building will house the Jesuit Community House involved in the life of Brotéria.
From research to debate, from art to spirituality, through digital and paper communication, Brotéria brings together people from different areas and sensibilities, as well as different institutions, with the desire to generate social transformation. It will be energized by a team of Jesuits in collaboration with people of various ages and areas of interest.
For society, Brotéria hopes to be a place of plural, intelligent and creative dialogue, where cultural work has a social impact, be it through awareness raising, research and publications, as well as local intervention projects. For the Church, Brotéria hopes to be a place of theological and aesthetic reflection, with a contemporary language.
FRANCE
Christus, the review of Ignatian spiritual formation, publishes an issue on the theme "For an accompaniment without hold".
The crisis of abuses, the words of Pope Francis especially in his Letter to the People of God and more recently the documentary of Arte Abused nuns, the other scandal of the Church have prompted the editorial board to take up the question of accompaniment at the risk of the hold and the means to guard against it.
"The objective of this issue is to deal with the relationship of spiritual accompaniment in order to be clear about what is consciously or unconsciously at stake in the accompaniment relationship both on the side of the accompanier and the person being accompanied. This issue is thus addressed to both. It is also a useful tool for formators of accompaniers," says Marie-Caroline Bustaret, deputy editor of Christus magazine.
The dossier of Christus magazine gives the floor to companions, trainers of companions, a doctor, a psychologist but also biblical scholars. It invalidates the idea that certain functions would immediately make them suitable for accompaniment. Ability to listen, training and supervision remain essential.
This issue reminds us that everyone can one day find themselves confronted with the hold, exercise it or undergo it. How to spot when the relationship slips into abuse? What safeguards should be put in place to avoid being trapped? What is the right to refuse? What can we accept? How can we respect the freedom of the other person when we are accompanied and how can we preserve our own freedom when we are accompanied? So many questions addressed in this dossier.
This issue is intended both for spiritual accompaniers and for those who are being accompanied. They will be able to reread their accompaniment to see if it fits well within the framework described in these articles.
> Read the contents of this issue of Christus magazine.
https://www.revue-christus.com/numero-en-cours
Preparing for Mission
WORLD
In a Press statement released on February 27, Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), for the Jesuit Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar expressed his concern about the violence and the loss of human life in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.
"We join the Catholic Bishops of Cameroon and across the world, human rights groups and several other concerned bodies and individuals in condemning the Cameroonian government’s continuous use of force as well as the violence perpetrated by militia groups that has led to loss of innocent lives."
Download the Press Statement
IRELAND
“Through my image on a postage stamp, for the next year or so I will be looking out on all sorts of places in this beautiful world of ours and thereby sharing the private lives of so many people in the intimacy of their homes and personal moments. And I think that it would be so wonderful if only I could make my paper image hear what the people are saying, voice my support for them in their trials and difficulties, encourage them, lift their spirits, and share the good news of the Lord with all who stick that image on to an envelope or see it on the letters they receive.” So writes Fr Michael J Kelly SJ, an Irish Jesuit missionary who has worked to combat HIV/AIDS in Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa, and who will feature on a postage stamp this year as part of An Post’s ‘The Irish Abroad’ series.
Read his full reflection here
CZECHIA
On February 3 – 5, Jesuits from the Czech Republic and Slovakia met at their historically first common meeting, at the pilgrimage site in Velehrad (Moravia, Czech Rep.). This meeting of seventy Jesuits from both countries was the first visible step in the process of convergence of the two provinces, which should join together in the future.
During the three days, the Czech and Slovak Jesuits had the opportunity to get to know each other and to deepen the consciousness of their common Jesuit identity, which unites them. On the afternoon of the first day, they presented the life and apostolic activity of their communities in both countries. They learned they each other more personally in twelve small groups.
The whole second day of their meeting was dedicated to a spiritual dynamic, accompanied by invited guests from the Jesuit Conference of European Provinces (JCEP) Fr. Franck Janin, current President of JCEP, and his socius Fr. José de Pablo. For this purpose, they chose a text from Matthew's Gospel, "You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world." The participants of the meeting had to think about this part of the Gospel both in relation to themselves and in relation to the future of both provinces – what God is calling them to do if they are to continue to be salt and light for others. Therefore, in the morning and afternoon, they devoted an entire hour to a personal meditation over the Gospel text, the next hour was intended to share the fruits of their prayer in small groups and then share it in plenary. This spiritual process, using elements of the Ignatian spirituality, was intended to help strengthening the unity of the hearts, which only could ensure real cooperation and greater convergence in the future.
The meeting culminated on the last day with the Eucharistic celebration in Czech, held in the Basilica of Velehrad, presided by the Czech Provincial Fr. Petr Pradka and in which Fr. Viliam Karla did the homily in Slovak. The scholastics of both provinces also renewed their religious vows at this Mass.
Currently, the Czech Jesuits have 47 members, the Slovak 86. The cooperation between the two provinces so far concerns mainly formation. Since 2002, a joint novitiate has been operating in Ruzomberok, Slovakia. Czech and Slovak Jesuits in formation (scholastics) meet regularly; usually they also study together at various places abroad. Superiors of local communities and members of provincial consult of both provinces meet annually. Czech and Slovak Jesuits also organize spiritual exercises for their members. Three Slovak Jesuits are working in the Czech Republic, one Czech in Slovakia.
Already in the past, there was a common Czechoslovak Jesuit province since 1919. It was divided in 1938, when the Czech province and the independent Slovak vice-province were established. It became a province in 1983. In these years of ongoing process of restructuring in the Society of Jesus, a voting poll was held in both the Czech and Slovak provinces in 2017, in which the majority of the members expressed their views in favor of the future joining of both provinces.
EUROPE
First vows, last vows, diaconal ordinations and priestly ordinations.
