At the age of 70, when most people are retired or taking it easy, Australian Jesuit Celso Romanin SJ responded to an urgent call from Jesuit Refugee Service Australia for a priest to provide pastoral care to the detainees on Christmas Island. He had eight years of experience with refugees in Australia, Asia and Africa, yet the prospect of going to Christmas Island at his age was daunting. But he put his reservations before the Lord and ended up spending October with the detainees on Christmas Island.
Upon his return to his community at Hawthorn Parish in Victoria, Fr Celso sent some reflections on his experience and the plight of the detainees, which provide much food for thought especially with Christmas so near.
To read his reflections, click here.