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“If the entire Ignatian Year helps even a single person to grow closer to Christ, it will have been a success” – says Pascal Calu SJ. The Belgian Jesuit in formation coordinates the whole Saint Ignatius Jubilee Year from Rome, from the centre of the Society of Jesus.

I became coordinator of the Ignatian Year at the General Curia in Rome in a surprising way. I was supposed to go to Myanmar for my regency, but the pandemic stopped me so an alternative regency had to be found. My provincial sent me to Rome, to work at the Communications Office of the General Curia for the Ignatian Year. Quite a different setting and apostolate than the one initially planned.

It is inspiring to me that something similar happened to Ignatius. He wanted to go to the East, but in Venice the ships were not sailing. So the first companions decided to go to Rome and offer themselves to the Pope. And then, against his desire, Ignatius was elected the first Fr. General which meant he stayed in Rome in an ‘office job’, quite different from his first desires to be close to the people in the mission. For me it is inspiring to think of that part of Ignatius’ life. Like him, I wanted to go to the East and I could not, and came to Rome, ending up in an ‘office job’. From there, Ignatius had a broad view on the worldwide Society, and I am happy to have a similar experience, receiving much information from all over the world, learning a lot about the global Society.

What would St. Ignatius do in 2021-2022? How would he be present at the various events of the Jubilee Year?

Ignatius would not like to be in the spotlights. He would only allow it if it would be for the good of souls, if it would help people to grow closer to Christ. He would not be focused on the past, but rather aimed at the present and the future. How can we look at the world, our brothers and sisters, the Church, God, and ourselves in a different way?

Read the entire interview – in English on the site of the Hungarian Province:
https://jezsuita.hu/the-spiritual-side-of-an-office-job/

Péter Pásztor

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