Jesuits from the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) who work or study in Rome got together on Sunday, October 20. Some 30 were present, including Jesuits who were visiting Rome from our conference, such as Vietnamese Provincial Fr Vincent Pham Van Mam SJ.
We began by celebrating the Eucharist in St Francis Borgia Chapel in the General Curia. The main presider was His Eminence, Jean-Claude Cardinal Hollerich SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg, who had been created a Cardinal by the Holy Father in the Consistory of October 2019. Fr Jean-Claude is a proud member of the Japanese Province! Concelebrating with him were three other JCAP Jesuits – Fr José Magadia (Regional Assistant); Fr Gino Picca, an Italian missionary and parish priest in Taiwan; and newly ordained Fr Chang-joon Lee (KOR), who studies Canon Law at the Gregorian.
In his homily, Fr Chang-joon thanked all those in JCAP who have been praying for those of us in Rome. He expressed the hope that we would be able to dedicate ourselves even more to our study and work, and so prepare ourselves as best we can for the apostolate back in JCAP, or wherever the Lord might call us for service. Myanmarese Scholastic PV Joseph, who just arrived for his theological formation here, led the singing and played the guitar. After Mass, the group went for a simple meal at a nearby Chinese restaurant.
The JCAP Jesuits in Rome are engaged in different missions. Many of us are studying in various fields, mainly at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (the Biblicum). Others are currently assigned in the Curia, Vatican Radio, and as professors in the Gregorian and the Biblicum. Given this diversity, it is not always easy to come together. But on this occasion, we were happy to have found time to share with each other, and be nourished by spiritual food, a solid Asian dinner and the gift of reaffirming that we remain friends in the Lord, especially being so far away from home.
Fr Benedict Jung SJ from Korea is the Regional Secretary for Asia Pacific. He led in organising this festive semestral gathering.