JCAP Major Superiors in Chiang Mai, January 2023

The year 2022 was a breath of fresh air for the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) and possibly also for the whole world.  Our onsite gatherings and events started to resume in the middle of the year after travel restrictions were eased.  It was a period of rebirth from persistent lockdowns that challenged our creativity, solidarity and ways of being.  We had several initiatives that could be life-giving for people.  We were and are still tapping young people who could be creators of hope in caring for our common home.  We started a discernment process that could bring hope to the mission in Pakistan.  The Pakistan mission needs to be strengthened and mainstreamed further in the life-mission of the Society.  The Institute of Social Order, a Jesuit ministry and possibly the oldest development NGO in the Philippines, celebrated 75 years of work for and with the marginalized and excluded. All this is a rebirth of our life-mission.

Last year, the Flagship Initiative, which is a key desired output of the Conference Plan (2021 – 2025), was reviewed and refined.  This hopes to consolidate further the efforts of JCAP to care for creation and communities with Spirit-led young people playing a crucial role.

Upon the invitation of Fr General Arturo Sosa, the whole Society reviewed and prayed over our vow of poverty in view of the release of the Statutes on Poverty and Instruction on Administration and Finance.  He gave the major superiors two recollections, perhaps this was the first time a Superior General had done this to major superiors.  In between the two recollections, we facilitated a recollection for our communities and provinces/regions.  It was another rebirth of our commitment to follow Jesus poor and humble.

We have so much to be grateful for despite the many challenges that we are facing.  We still continue to live in times of uncertainties, but the God of surprises will navigate our way towards a rebirth of our life-mission in the Spirit.

Related story: Jesuits in Asia Pacific 2023 now available online