Jesuit Superior General Fr Arturo Sosa SJ told students of the Ateneo de Manila University to be agents of reconciliation, reiterating the call of General Congregation 36 to seek and promote reconciliation between man and God, reconciliation among men, and reconciliation between man and God’s creation.
Fr Sosa met with the grade school, high school and college students on the morning of December 8 for a tête-à-tête after his tour around the campus aboard the university’s electronic jeepney. Student leaders asked Fr Sosa many questions, including how he became Superior General of the Society, why Jesuit homilies are short but profound and his message to young people, to which he responded by stressing the need for reconciliation.
In the afternoon, it was the turn of the Jesuits to have an audience with their Superior General. Around 200 Jesuit priests, brothers, scholastics and novices gathered at the Cardinal Sin Center, Loyola School of Theology for a dialogue with Fr Sosa. Philippine Provincial Fr Primitivo Viray Jr SJ presented the situation of the Philippine Province, highlighting opportunities and challenges. Fr Sosa responded by giving an update on the status of the Society’s “Universal Apostolic Preferences”, which will be presented to Pope Francis to ensure that the Society’s mission in the next five years will come from the Holy Father himself.
Fr Sosa also talked about the critical challenges facing the Society such as living fully their vow of poverty, the development of a culture of safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults in our communities and ministries, and the issue of “clericalism,” one of the cardinal sins in the Church pointed out by Pope Francis early on in his pontificate. Fr General then answered some questions from the congregation.
As it was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Fr Sosa presided at the Mass held in the Oratory of St Ignatius de Loyola. In his homily, Fr General underscored the virtues of the Immaculata and prayed that like Mary, the Jesuits may also say “yes” to the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society.
The evening concluded with dinner prepared by the Loyola House of Studies and entertainment from scholastics of the Philippine Province and Arrupe International Residence. [Jesuit Communications Philippines]