Two Australian Jesuits have composed a hymn about the first companions in Venice, an important image in the deliberations of General Congregation 36 and one that runs through Decree 1 (nn.4, 6, 7, 39).
As Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ has said in reflecting on the General Congregation, it is an image that “conveys beautifully” the reality that “life and mission are inseparable for those who choose to follow Jesus Christ in the Society of Jesus in the service of the Church”.
In this light, Australian Provincial Fr Brian McCoy SJ invited composer Fr Chris Willcock SJ and writer Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ to collaborate on a hymn on this theme for the Australian Jesuit Province Assembly in July. Hence “Companions in Venice” was born and became the theme song for the Assembly.
The chorus gives a taste of the whole:
Bruised feet, straw beds,
kinds hands, bent knees,
refined their plans, refined their plans.
May we, their heirs, conceive and shape our ministry
Through lives well-earthed and God-aware.
Fr McCoy has offered this hymn to the universal Society so the music is now available for use around the world. [Australian Jesuits]
Download the sheet music here.
