The Our Lady of Fatima Residence community played the gracious host to the meeting of the Major Superiors last July 11–16.
The meeting provided a general picture of the region. There is a context of change in the EAO Assistancy; the Cambodian Mission has been assigned to the newly established Korean Province, Myanmar has a new Major Superior and a terna for East Timor has been submitted. The Independent Region of Vietnam moves inevitably towards being a regular Province. Other provinces may be formed. At this point the provincials grow ever more aware of the unity in the one apostolate to the people of East Asia. And so the Conference intends to develop its own Mission Statement for this historic moment.
All remarked on the wonderful hospitality of this vibrant Macau Community. Macau, with its winding, up and down streets (and its ten new casinos) is Jesuit country, from the symbolic facade of St. Paul’s ruined Cathedral to the IHS shield on the airport walls. It’s heartwarming to see the Society tradition there so alive and well: two schools, the Ricci Institute-Macau, the China curia, Casa Ricci and its social work programs inside the Mainland. New life and purpose abound.
After sessions for four days, almost all used Sunday to cross over into China and visit Sancian (Shangchuan) Island, where Xavier’s dreams of entering China both died and live forever. China’s highway system impresses; so does the ferry; not so, the small, rustic chapel. Still, his fellow-Provincials experienced great peace and joy, sitting quietly in prayer, revisiting his dreams, saying Mass nearby and committing themselves and their resources to this third founding of a Mission to China.
Javier! Bravo. Nosotros sequimos tu obra! We continue your mission.