This time, the location determined, in great part, the program of the annual gathering of JUPC – Jesuit Pastoral Care network. The theme of the whole meeting was “Mission of Reconciliation”. We started with one morning of spiritual conversation and sharing about the dynamics of the chaplaincies represented. After that, Irene Gantxegi, professor at the University of Deusto, spoke about Reconciliation in the Basque Country; Jad Chebli SJ, of the St. Joseph University in Beirut, offered his reflection about Reconciliation in Lebanon. An interesting and fruitful dialogue followed each one of the presentations.

A second day was dedicated to a comprehensive visit of the facilities of Deusto University, where we met one of the Vice-Rectors, and Arrupe Etxea (Arrupe House) the big building by the Jesuit church in the centre of the city where a good number of social and pastoral Jesuit works in Bilbao have their services.

As we were hosted in the Spirituality Centre in Loyola, there was also time to visit the Ignatian places, culminating with the final Mass in the Chapel of Conversion, and in general to take advantage of the beautiful, peaceful and pacifying places and landscape for relaxation and personal prayer.

All this created the context for what is always the most relevant: the encounter, spontaneous conversations, exchange of ideas, mutual support, sharing of best practices – being together as friends who share a similar mission and the same desire to be of pastoral service to university students.

A big thank you to Jaime Balaguer (Deusto) for the impeccable organisation. Next year, in Beirut, again in the beginning of February.

Herminio Rico sj
JCREP Socius