Gonzalo Villagrán, Socius of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) visited the JCEP Tertianship programme in Bikfaya, Lebanon, from November 4th to November 9th. The visit served to officially welcome the Tertians and accompany the initial stage of their formation. Taking advantage of the Socius's academic background, Fr. Dany Younès, the Tertian Instructor, arranged with him a three-day workshop for the Tertians focused on Christian-Muslim dialogue as part of the schedule.

Welcoming and Integration

Gonzalo described the second visit to Lebanon as a "fascinating experience," noting the country's profound spirituality and hospitality. The Bikfaya tertianship community provides an excellent integration into the traditional Christian Lebanese village, offering visitors a unique perspective on local life.

The Tertianship group is highly international, comprised of Jesuits from diverse countries and cultures, each bringing incredible apostolic experiences. Gonzalo found it particularly challenging, yet rewarding, to present the prepared workshops to such a "prepared and experienced" group of companions.

Workshop on Dialogue

The workshop consisted of three distinct sessions over three days, each divided into two parts. The topics covered the scope of Christian-Muslim relations and comparative theology:

• Day 1: Plurality in society and the method of comparative theology.
• Day 2: Christian-Muslim relations and the history of Christian-Muslim dialogue.
• Day 3: A presentation on Christian-Muslim comparative religious thought.

Key foundational texts in modern Christian-Muslim dialogue were also read and discussed: the Church document Dialogue and Proclamation (1991), the Muslim initiative A Common Word between you and us (2006), and the Document on Human Fraternity (2019), signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.

The most enriching part of the sessions was reported to be the "conversation in the Spirit." The enormous apostolic experience of each Jesuit proved invaluable in illuminating the ideas presented and suggesting new paths forward for dialogue.

A Powerful Witness: The Excursion to Barqa

The visit concluded with an excursion to Barqa, the village where Fr. Nicolas Kluiters SJ lived and was martyred in 1985. Witnessing his extremely poor living quarters next to the Church, examining his working documents, and hearing testimonies from local Christians who knew him was extremely moving.

The group felt a palpable call "to live more radically our Jesuit lives, closer to the poor," and a renewed commitment to the work of Christian-Muslim dialogue.

The Value of Formation at the Frontier

Reflecting on the visit as he begins his mission as Socius of the JCEP, Gonzalo affirmed the immense value of the Tertianship program. He underscored its significance as the final stage of Jesuit formation, placing Jesuits from around the world in a "context of real frontier."