JCAP Major Superiors with Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ | Photo by Robert Ballecer SJ

Kuching, Malaysia was the location for the recently held Major Superiors Assembly of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. Fr Francis Lim SJ, Regional Superior, welcomed not only the major superiors of the conference but also Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ, who is visiting Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia for his fifth apostolic visit to JCAP. On this trip, he is accompanied by Fr Jose Magadia SJ, General Counsellor and Regional Assistant for Asia Pacific, Fr Tomasz Kot SJ, most recently the Regional Assistant for Central and Eastern Europe, and Fr Robert Ballecer SJ from the General Curia Communication Office.

While the Jesuits in the Malaysia-Singapore Region are small in number, with only 40 of them spread across both countries, they are involved in a number of apostolic works: education, pastoral work, spirituality, social ministry, and youth ministry. In Kuching itself the Jesuits have only been around since 2012. They serve as educators and administrators at St Joseph’s Private Secondary School (SJPS), a Jesuit companion school and one of the top national private schools in Kuching. Currently, Fr Stanley Goh SJ is their rector, while Fr Lim served as the first Jesuit principal for nearly 10 years. Today, the school reflects the vibrant culture and diversity of Kuching, with bright and well-spoken students who come from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Ms Claudia Law, a school counsellor and herself a Catholic, was one of those who welcomed Fr General Sosa to their school. “I find that working with the Jesuits is really an eye-opening experience,” she shares. “I’ve learned that the examen really grounds me in my work, so I do not waver as much as I used to,” she adds.

Fr General Arturo Sosa celebrates Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral | Photo by Robert Ballecer SJ

Despite a relatively new presence in Kuching, the Jesuits of Malaysia-Singapore have cultivated strong relationships with the local communities they serve, whether in a school setting or in a parish like St Francis Xavier Church in Petaling Jaya, another stop on Fr General’s Malaysia visit. Indeed, the Major Superiors were first welcomed by the Catholic community in Kuching during a Sunday Mass at the stunning neo-gothic St Peter’s Church, which was concelebrated by Fr Lim. Only a few days later, the school community and many mission partners turned up for the Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, celebrated by Fr General Sosa. The JCAP major superiors attended in full force. A simple dinner reception followed, where the Jesuit Fathers were able to meet and enjoy a nice meal with the locals—here, the warm hospitality of the local community was palpable.

Afterwards, the major superiors attended a question-and-answer session with Fr General Sosa. From this conversation, the importance of building a solid community with the commitment of both Jesuits and mission partners emerged. Mrs Catherine Chong, a parent of two former SJPS students, volunteers for the JCAP Migrants and Refugees Network. “It is important for me to continue this collaboration because I really appreciate the community spirit in the work the Jesuits are doing and the friendships forged every time we meet,” she says. Along with cura apostolica, there is also cura personalis for mission partners. “I was also given a space to grieve when my mum passed away early this year,” shares Mrs Chong. “I had the opportunity to join in a five-day silent retreat conducted by the Kuching Jesuit community at Gethsemane Retreat Centre, Sarawak.”

Fr General Arturo Sosa with collaborators in Kuching | Photo by Robert Ballecer SJ

Along with Fr General Sosa’s presence, the assembly in Kuching was also special in another way as the conference said goodbye to Fr Miguel Garaizabal SJ, Regional Superior of Thailand, and Fr Benedictus Hari Juliawan SJ, the Indonesian Provincial, whose terms have ended. Likewise, Fr Manasan Wongvarn SJ, the new Thai Regional Superior, and Fr Albertus Bagus Laksana SJ, the incoming Indonesian Provincial, were welcomed to JCAP.

Despite the many changes and challenges faced by the Jesuits in Asia Pacific, where Catholics are a minority except for a few countries like the Philippines and Timor-Leste, a strong sense of collaboration grows so that, to all corners of the globe, to the smallest and toughest of places, the Jesuits and lay partners carry out God’s mission further.