More than 200 young pilgrims from provinces and regions within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) have just spent a week learning what it means to be Magis. MAGIS is a Jesuit-organised international meeting of young people from all over the world held in conjunction with World Youth Day. The MAGIS programme helps to prepare them for the experience of World Youth Day by offering them an opportunity to share in a unique experience on three distinct levels: individual growth, relationships with God and others, and intercultural dialogue.
Young people from Australia, Cambodia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines joined nearly 2,000 other MAGIS participants from 52 countries in Poland.
The theme this year is “To give and not count the cost”, a line from St Ignatius’ prayer for generosity. The gathering kicked off on July 16 in the city of Łódź. Fr Adolfo Nicolas SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, could not travel to Poland because he had had a small accident, but sent his greetings through a video message. Fr Tomasz Kot SJ, Fr General’s Assistant for Central and Eastern Europe, read Fr General’s responses to questions posed to him by the MAGIS 2016 crew, before celebrating Mass.
“No matter what we do, we can always grow and do more. Naturally, magis is not more money, more wealth, more fame, more anything of this perishing world. It is more of the gospel, more compassion, more humanity, more Jesus in our living,” Fr General stressed. “I’m very inspired by you, young people, because no matter what people say about young people today, you continue fighting for a better society, acting on behalf of a more just environment, dreaming the dreams of a better world that we in our own youth dreamt.”
During his homily, Fr Kot called on the pilgrims to be “be Jesus’ mother”, a reference to the Black Madonna, Our Lady at Czestochowa.
The following morning, the pilgrims embarked on their Ignatian “experiments”, activities loosely based on the life experience of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. From July 17 to 23, the participants, in teams of 25 from different countries, journeyed to various places in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia or Lithuania to undertake their chosen experiment in spirituality, pilgrimage, service or art.
Bella Tjok from Indonesia shared, “I hope during the experiment, through art and music, God will grant me the grace to listen to His voice and what He wants for my life, and that I’ll have enough courage to follow His will.”
Cornelius Astana, also from Indonesia, admitted, “There is a little conflict between us because of our diversity. Some like 
to be strict and stick to the methods. Some like to be flexible. But we can still be open to each other. I think it’s because we are on the same frequency – magis, the same frequency that makes us feel accepted as we are.”
After their experiment, the young pilgrims reunited with the international MAGIS community in Czestochowa for a time of reflection and to entrust the fruits of their experience to Our Lady. One evening was devoted to a cultural show dubbed “Festival of Nations” during which participants presented the culture, language and talents of their country. Then on July 25, the participants travelled to Krakow for World Youth Day, which continues until July 31.
On Wednesday, July 27, the MAGIS Asia Pacific delegation had their MAGIS Asia Pacific gathering at the Ignatianum University. The assembly sought to foster among the participants a sense of belonging to one Asia Pacific youth family, to introduce and promote JCAP Youth Ministry programmes and to keep the Ignatian spirit aflame.
Go to MAGIS2016 Live to watch archived live streams of MAGIS 2016.
Related story: Set aflame by Magis