In the week of 5-9 February JUPC, the network of Jesuit University Chaplaincies and Centres of Pastoral Care for university students met in Malta. It was the 12th presential meeting of this network, instituted in 2010 with a gathering in Rome.

Prof. Nadia Delicata, theologian, Delegate for Evangelisation in the Diocese of Malta introduced us to the main features and challenges of the Catholic Church in Malta. Cecil Azzopardi, Jesuit missionary in India for many years and renowned spiritual director and specialist in Ignatian spirituality, helped the group to reflect on the main topic for this year’s meeting: “Being people of discernment in a polarised Church”. Both talks were excellent inputs and fed many fruitful conversations during the week.

There was also space for sharing experiences from the different Chaplaincies, organised in a very creative way – each one had to respond to a question chose randomly from a set previously prepared. The unavoidable spontaneity of the responses created a lighter way of getting to know what important things are happening in each place.

The whole program was very relaxed, with enough time for reflection, and that was very much appreciated. The first morning was dedicated to personal prayer and spiritual conversation in small groups about the personal joys and trials of being a chaplain. Prayerful reflection on Cecil’s talk and then sharing and conversation in plenary occupied another morning, a great opportunity to deepen and appropriate the richness of the input offered. In the evaluation at the end, these program options were recognised as very positive.

The great welcome, excellent humour and impeccable attention to details by the hosting team of the Chaplaincy of the University of St. Joseph (Patrick, Adam, Alison, Annabel and Therese), of course, helped greatly. Thank you, especially, for the wonderful night visit to Mdina and the guided tour of Valeta.

Looking forward to meeting again next year in Loyola/Bilbao.

Herminio Rico sj
JCEP Socius