This was the first time a group of young people from the Malaysia-Singapore Region (MAS) came together as a single delegation to represent the region at the recent MAGIS Asia Pacific gathering in Taiwan. Accompanied by Jesuits Fr Nalerin Erone, Br Jasper Ong, and Scholastic Winston Heng, the group embodied the growing vibrancy of our region.
Representing Malaysia were Edzel Engel, John Ryan, Kenneth Jeremiah, and Leah Basilika from the Church of St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya. Joining them from Singapore were Christopher Ng and Therese Lee from the Church of St Ignatius. Together, they embarked on a journey that took them traversing mountains, serving the homeless, and discovering the profound beauty of silence. But most importantly, they travelled within their own hearts. As the delegation noted, “It was inspiring to see these young people come together as one region, carrying the hope for the future of MAGIS in MAS.”
For many, immediate joy was found in the sheer diversity of the Universal Church. Chris recalled a powerful moment when “we joined hands and said the ‘Our Father’ together in our own languages…We could all proclaim to love God in our own way.”
Edzel echoed this, sharing how he felt the “warmth and openness” of participants hailing from Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Poland, and beyond. “It was amazing to form genuine friendships and feel accepted without any judgement,” Edzel shared.
The courage to discover the unknown
At the heart of the programme was the “Magis Experiment,” where participants known as pilgrims broke into smaller groups to encounter different realities of Taiwanese society and the Church.
Walking with faith. Leah and Edzel undertook the Pilgrimage experiment. Leah described the journey as “a story” in which she learnt to let go of expectations and instead “walk with optimism and trust”. Despite the physical exertion of walking 20 kilometres a day, she experienced it as a joy filled with “laughter, blessings, and a childlike curiosity”. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “God is constantly inviting us. He’s just waiting for us to take that one step.”
For Edzel, being “completely unplugged” brought unexpected freedom. Without phones or distractions, he discovered the importance of journeying together: “I realised that we were all on this journey together, helping and uplifting each other.” The pilgrimage taught him “to keep growing and moving forward,” reminding him that “no matter how long or challenging the road, we are united in purpose and spirit.”
Encountering the vulnerable. John joined the “Companions of the Least” experiment, serving the homeless at Taiwan’s central station. He was deeply moved by their stories of abandonment and family conflict. “I found out that they were there not because of not having enough money… but because they had been abandoned by their family,” he shared. He realised that “companionship is really important for an individual”. His takeaway was a call to be open and to listen, trusting that “in our joy and despair, Jesus always walks and listens to us.”
Finding God in culture and nature. Kenny’s experiment with “Indigenous Encounters” in Xinguang Village invited him to “slow down, listen, and see”. During a gruelling nine-kilometre hike to the Cinsbu Giant Trees, he faced deep internal struggles. “Fear crowded my thoughts — not only the fear of falling, but the deeper fear of not being enough,” he confessed. Yet, in that struggle, he found God’s presence. “Jesus was already there,” he said, especially through Fr Mai, who walked beside him in quiet reassurance. At a junction where he had to choose between a shortcut and a longer route, he prayed: “Don’t give me options. Just lead me, and I will follow.” Taking the longer path revealed greater beauty and grace, leading him to his Magis word: Presence. He reflected: “God does not always lead us through the shortest route, but through the path that shapes us and allows us to encounter Him more fully.”
Deepening inclusivity. Scholastic Winston was especially struck by the universality of the mission. A meeting with a young Imam during his experiment left a deep impression. “Seeing such dedication to God and service beyond one’s own religious boundaries filled me with hope and joy,” he reflected. His keyword was Inclusivity. “True inclusivity goes beyond tolerance… when we allow space for others to be fully themselves, we discover God already at work among us.” The experience challenged him “to move beyond comfort zones and to see others not as ‘different’ but as companions on the same journey toward goodness and truth”.
Expressing faith through art. Chris, in his experiment with “Arts and Spirituality,” discovered that creativity is an act of love. Exploring the intersection of creativity and faith, he came to appreciate that “we are all uniquely created” and that God celebrates our different expressions. He realised that one does not need to be a master artist to show love to God; rather, “it is through loving and accepting ourselves that we can love others.”
Nourished by simplicity. Therese, who was assigned to the St Benedict’s Monastery experiment, experienced the “beauty of simplicity” through a three-day fast inspired by St Hildegard von Bingen. Gradually adapting to simple meals, she learnt to eat with “greater attentiveness, gratitude, and reverence,” discovering that she was “deeply nourished not just physically but spiritually and emotionally”. Her keyword became “Nourished” — by rest, community, and a deeper desire to know and love Christ more deeply. Carrying the fruits of this experience home, she feels called to live “with greater freedom and trust,” allowing simplicity and faith to shape her daily life for the greater glory of God.
A new year, a new mission
The delegation reunited at the Manresa Retreat Centre to welcome the New Year in prayerful silence. “It was such a blessing to enter the New Year with the Ignatian family,” Leah wrote. The retreat at the end of the programme helped her recognise how the Holy Spirit had been at work from the very beginning, transforming her through the stories of others.
Now back in Malaysia and Singapore, the “Pilgrims of Hope” are ready to serve. Chris feels the call of the Great Commission: “‘Go and make disciples of all nations” and is eager to serve more actively in his parish. Describing his experience in one word, he chose Deeper. “I feel that I have gotten a lot deeper in my faith… It was the first time that I had done a silent retreat for a day.” He also became more aware of the struggles of the global Church, especially in war-torn countries, inspiring him to pray more intentionally for others.
Kenny resolves to live differently: “I am invited to choose presence over distraction, trust over fear, and faithfulness over comfort”. John hopes to be a “tangible presence” and a “listening ear” to those around him. Edzel is determined to “use my own uniqueness to serve God and help those who feel left behind realise that God is always beside them.” As Scholastic Winston beautifully summarised, “What begins as a spark becomes a fire.”
As the region looks forward, the hope carried by these young people is palpable. They returned not only with memories but with a tapestry of profound spiritual encounters that speak to the vibrant future of the Ignatian family in our region, with Leah even daring to dream: “Maybe MAS could be the next MAGIS JCAP host.” A mission awaits. And as she reminds us, “We just need to say yes.”
Related Story: Companions in a shared mission: MAGIS Asia Pacific 2025 in Taiwan
