One of the aspects I admire most about the Jesuit Order, and I’ve seen it in many Jesuits, is their deep desire to foster unity within the apostolic body. This drive for connection is not only rooted in their history but continues to shape their mission today. We all know the story of St. Francis Xavier, who carried with him the signatures of his fellow Jesuits as a symbol of their unity, despite the vast distances imposed by their respective missions. In the same spirit, we share articles like this one to exchange news and experiences, further strengthening the bonds of our apostolic community, which stretches across great distances and diverse regions.

However, strengthening this unity isn’t only achieved through written correspondence between Jesuits who are already acquainted. It also happens when Jesuits from different parts of the world meet in person—whether during travels, mission work, or even while visiting Jesuit communities in far-off countries. A particularly powerful example of this took place on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the Jesuit House of Alberto in Jaramana. Cardinal Michael Czerny, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, visited during his time in Syria. His visit was not only a chance to meet the Jesuit community there but also to witness the diverse and impactful missions of the house.

During his time at Alberto House, Cardinal Czerny explored the initiatives of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), visited the university students’ library, and learned about the various artistic, cultural, and training workshops offered. He also took the time to engage with both the work team and some of the beneficiaries of these missions, underscoring the importance of the Jesuits’ local efforts.

The visit culminated in a shared meal with the Jesuit community, where Cardinal Czerny, alongside the Secretary of the Apostolic Vicar in Syria, Mrs. Pascale Debbane (Coordinator of the Middle East in the Dicastery), Father Michael Zammit (Provincial Superior), Father Murad Abu Seif (President of the Damascus and Homs communities), Father Ghassan Sahwi, Father Alvaro Dorantes, Father Vincent de Beaucaudry, and the scholar Daniel Atallah, gathered around the table. This moment of fellowship offered a unique opportunity for personal connection, as well as a chance to reflect on the mission of the Jesuit Order in Syria and the broader role of Cardinal Czerny and his team in Rome.

One small but poignant detail that struck me—and many of those at Alberto House—was Cardinal Czerny’s cross. Made of wood with hues of orange and yellow reminiscent of dawn and sunset, the cross featured a twisted nail at its center. For me, this image was a powerful reflection of suffering, death, and resurrection—a trilogy that captures not only the Cardinal’s message but also the heart of our mission. It calls us to acknowledge the wounds of the people we serve, to recognize the moments of "death" we may experience in the course of our work, and to celebrate the resurrection, the ultimate joy and hope that follow the struggles.

If you find yourself feeling burdened, weighed down by the nails of life, or as though darkness is drawing near, remember that no matter how long the night, a new dawn is always waiting to break. As Georges Bernanos, the French soldier and writer, so aptly said, and as Cardinal Czerny shared on the souvenir of his ordination: “The only thing that matters is that, whether we are brave or cowardly, we always find ourselves where God wants us to be, trusting in Him.”