Due to the pandemic, it’s been a long year’s wait, but it was well worth it. All the joyful gifts opening us to the deeper still echo in our heart after the wonderful nine days we spent with the 200 participants of Magis Europe 2021 in Hungary and Slovakia. A report from one of the organizers.

A place and time for encounters with ourselves, others and God. An occasion to open up our heart through service, prayers, challenges and in the community. A harvest of fruits and gifts in reflection on our day, a moment for reconciliation, recreation and renewal.

Despite all the uncertainties in the preparation, the Magis Europe 2021 event could become all the above – and more. Thanks to all the support and prayers from people all around the world, we were given the opportunity to see all things new in Christ.

It all began on the 7th of August with the experiment groups meeting for the first time. Magis Europe 2021 included 11 experiments in five different “characters” connecting to five aspects of Ignatian spirituality. In the last days all the participants gathered in the closing festival in Miskolc.

Arts

The Dance to God, dance with God experiment connected the gestures of our body to our feelings, experiences and even our relationship with God.

The Magis Taizé experiment near Ruzomberok, Slovakia invited participants to share their talents with each other inspired by the music of Taizé. Their musical service at the Closing Festival showed that prayer always enriches others in the end.

The Living Stones group drew on the abundant riches of church buildings to engage with tourists coming by.

Service

Guided by the Helping Sisters in Csobánka, Hungary, people at the Sharing life experiment spent time with the elderly and the disabled. 

The Playing together group spent their week at Arló, one of the poorest villages of Hungary. 

Taking care of our created world is an important but difficult service, as participants of the Green heads, hearts and hands could experience.

Pilgrimage

Magis people of the Hungarian Camino Benedictus and Walking in God’s presence experiments found that a pilgrimage always changes those who depart. Even if not all change is as radical as the conversion of Inigo, they are important nevertheless.

Spirituality

One week as a Jesuit offered a glimpse into the Jesuit lifestyle for a group of young men, from meals to prayers and service. The Silent retreat experiment created a week of encounter with God in the closeness of nature, in the silence of the chapel and in the discussions with the spiritual director.

Culture

The Word on Papyrus experiment allowed participants to feel how the physical process of writing the Scripture in the same way as the first scribes did creates a unique connection to the text and to the words of Jesus.

Closing Festival

Finally, on the 13th of August over 200 Magis people from almost 30 countries met in Miskolc, Hungary for the weekend. With the blessing of Pope Francis and the video message of Fr. General Arturo Sosa SJ, the Closing Festival was always meant to be great, and it turned out to be just that.

On Friday, the focus was on spirituality, with a roundtable on the topic of vocation and an evening prayer of reconciliation with adoration and songs. Saturday was the day of adventures in and around Miskolc with the optional programmes provided by the organizers (spiritual field trip, city tour, sports, a taste of Hungarian culture and more), with the Festival of Nations in the evening and also the chance to learn some Hungarian folk dance.

On Sunday, we took the time to close, say goodbye and go on with the daily theme: mission. Fr. Elemér Vízi SJ, the Hungarian Provincial connected our mission to the “yes” of Mary on the feast mass of the Assumption.

Kristóf Hódsági - Jesuits HUN