It is not just Magis and Centro Astalli but also the individual Jesuit communities who are reflecting on how to become ever more open to the weak and poor. This appeal to welcome those who are fragile is continually being made by Pope Francis and is one of the orientations that emerged in the Universal Preferences and in the Apostolic Plan of the Euro-Mediterranean Province. "We realize that it is necessary to live our commitment to the Lord in an even more honest way, giving ourselves to and supporting the most fragile people of the world", emphasizes Fr. Gianni Notari, regional coordinator for Sicily and Calabria.

One large workshop

Thus the Province - which includes Italy, Malta, Albania and Romania - becomes one large workshop: 12 homeless people were welcomed to live in a wing of the Jesuit parish in Catania, "This hospitality by the Jesuits was accompanied by the solidarity of the whole parish community. The parishioners committed themselves to find work for these people” Fr Notari added "We want to be sensitive to the people who come to us for help in this territory". Support and assistance is also given by offering Italian lessons to the migrants. Other assistance is given by the students of the Gonzaga Institute of Palermo who go on missionary work in Peru and the students of the Missionary League who spend the New Year in Sighet, Romania doing charitable work and who also organize summer camps every year to give service and be close to those in need.

More inclusive communities

Centro Astalli envisages further growth, first and foremost to support refugees: "We want communities to be more inclusive" Fr. Camillo Ripamonti, the director, highlights, "and the difference between “us” and “them” to decrease when it comes to planning initiatives where both refugees and Italian citizens have a central role". "Cultural and spiritual poverty should also be addressed" specifies Fr. Henrik Urban, Superior of the Romanian mission "it is vital that these human needs are also fulfilled". "This is the most difficult part of the project" Fr. Michael Bugeja, Delegate for Malta and the Mission of Romania, stresses. "We have the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Paulo Freire Institute for adult literacy, but at a community level there is still much to be done. It is easier to go out and serve the needy than to open your doors and welcome those in need. This is a challenge we have to face. At St Aloysius College, which celebrates its 112 anniversary this year, we have initiated an educational journey from kindergarten to high school to help students become more aware of the needs of others and to care for our common home." The Secondary school will continue with the project of tree planting. There is a policy of a plastic free environment. At the Sixth Form College, initiatives include an online system for the sale of concert tickets, biodegradable cups, online document sharing and a commitment to organise two clean-ups in public areas per year. Other projects include Green Fingers Project, Social Responsibility Program, the Young Reporters for the Environment, the separation of waste and organic waste collection; baskets for batteries, registration to the Ignatian Carbon Challenge Network, participation in the Operation Wallacea Expedition - conservation of natural habitats and the launch of the Green Council 2019-2020.

Ethical investments

These initiatives are not only taking place on a local level but also on a governance level: "We are working in particular on ethical investments, that sees no looking back" adds Bernardino Guardino, the Province Treasurer. "For the last 5 years we have committed ourselves, as many other dioceses and religious institutes have done, to depart from investments in fossil fuels and move towards environment-friendly investments". Among the steps taken in this direction is the opening of the new reception centre for refugees in the heart of the Provincial Residence in via degli Astalli in Rome.