Gratitude campaign in response to the crisis

Jesuits from Germany, Austria and Switzerland start the campaign "Nevertheless grateful!” With this, they are giving an answer to the increasing sense of crisis in the middle of the second wave of the Corona pandemic with the help of Ignatian spirituality.

The past year was challenging for the whole of society. Social life has now been shut down for the second time, people have to keep their distance, fear for their livelihoods and many institutions have closed. The crisis reveals our problems like under a burning glass; the insecurity and fears are changing our society. There would be enough reasons to despair. On the other hand, there are studies that underline that a grateful lifestyle can strengthen the immune system and make people more resistant to crises. St. Ignatius of Loyola was already convinced of the effects of gratitude and practiced this lifestyle in his daily review, remembering every evening what good things happened to him.

With the campaign "Nevertheless grateful" the Jesuits bring the Ignatian Daily Review closer to the people. "In countless conversations we experience that it is difficult for many at the moment to discover the positive in their lives. We want to help the people. The campaign 'Nevertheless grateful!' calls for a conscious change of perspective, especially in the face of the pandemic. Even under difficult circumstances, something can be found for which one can be grateful.

Ignatian spirituality offers an effective method for this," explains Father Martin Stark SJ, Head of Communication & Fundraising. In the Ignatian Daily Review one reflects on one's day and looks back on what was experienced, always starting with the good. For this I would like to thank explicitly. Only then can everything else come into view. "This of course requires a certain amount of training," knows Pia Dyckmans, public relations officer of the German Province of the Jesuits. "Therefore we have created a gratitude diary, in which the daily review is explained and a month-long diary can be kept about what one is grateful for. By writing things down, things become more clearly recognisable, which increases the effect.

With the gratitude diary, we are giving people a tool to help them focus on what is important and thus to be able to approach Christmas in a positive way, especially in this special year.  On a community wall, concerns can be shared. "This should sensitise us all and we are sure that there will be many surprises to be found there. Sharing multiplies the effect of gratitude and then encourages others as well". Jesuits, too, will report on various channels during the campaign, for which they are personally grateful nonetheless.