The third iteration of the MAGIS programme in Malaysia officially began on 12 October, gathering 26 participants and 10 core team members at the Marist Educare Centre in Section 10, Petaling Jaya—just a short walk from the Church of St Francis Xavier.
MAGIS Malaysia’s programme covers a period of 11 months, during which young adults learn to deepen their faith through Ignatian Spirituality with monthly formation sessions. Each six-hour gathering includes input sessions, personal reflection, MAGIS Circles (spiritual conversation), the Examen, Eucharistic celebration, and fellowship.
Introduced in Malaysia in 2017 by the late Fr Alberto Irenus David SJ, this year’s programme has three members from the pioneering batch, Kenneth Jeremiah Foo, Leah Basilika, and Marrlene Mariadass, serving in the core team, continuing the programme’s spirit and legacy. The second iteration was conducted in Bahasa Malaysia, making this 2025/26 cohort both the first English batch since Covid and a meaningful renewal of the MAGIS journey in Malaysia.
Kenneth facilitated the opening session, offering an overview of the programme and introducing participants to the Examen, journaling, and the rhythms of the MAGIS Circle — a space for spiritual conversation and discernment. The accompanying priest for the year, Fr Nalerine Erone SJ, will walk with the participants throughout the journey, while monthly input sessions will be led by various Jesuit priests, scholastics, and brothers. The core team was fully engaged and proactive in creating a warm, reflective atmosphere that encouraged openness and participation.
The Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Alvin Ng SJ, who beautifully connected the Sunday Gospel on gratitude with the spirit of the MAGIS Programme, the Examen, and Ignatian Spirituality. In his homily, he reminded everyone that the Examen invites us to “find God in all things” and to be grateful for the many blessings of daily life. He also shared Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ’s timeless reflection on love — “Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way.”
Core team member Rachel Anna Maria, 29, shared, “I was greatly surprised and inspired by the turnout, ranging from young adults to the slightly older adults (like myself). It goes to show that many are yearning to dive deeper into their relationship with God and are unafraid to go beyond comfort zones to achieve that.”
Participants left feeling inspired and excited to embark on this year-long journey of faith and self-discovery.
Nicholas Lim, 26, remarked, “Everyone was so kind and welcoming I lost my nervousness. I appreciate the detailed explanations and the guidance for things I have never done before, like the Examen and journaling.”
For Angeline Charles, 33, the opening of the MAGIS programme was “truly inspiring and reflective. The sessions encouraged me to look inward and examine how I can live more fully in alignment with God’s will. I leave the day motivated to continue this spiritual journey with greater awareness and gratitude.”
