Even before the arrival of the Jesuit Superior General, Loyola Hall at the Church of St Francis Xavier (SFX), Petaling Jaya, was already filled with conversations, laughter, and anticipation. Young adults from Malaysia, Singapore, Sabah, and Penang gathered over breakfast, many meeting one another for the first time, united by a shared desire to discover how Ignatian spirituality could shape the way they lead, serve, and journey with others.
The first-ever Jesuit-Affiliated Young Adult (JAYA) Gathering was held on 18 July in conjunction with the Apostolic Visitation of Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ to the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.
Organised by the Jesuits of Malaysia-Singapore (MAS), the gathering brought together 131 young adults from across the MAS Region, including members of MAGIS Malaysia, Via Ignis–MAGIS Singapore, youth ministries from the Church of St Francis Xavier, participants from Sabah and Penang, and youth volunteers.
The theme centred on Ignatian leadership, inviting young adults to reflect on what it means to become leaders formed not by status or achievement but through discernment, humility, and service for the greater good.
Fr General Sosa described the gathering as a convergence of aspirations and dreams that brings hope for the future.
He acknowledged the realities faced by today’s generation: rapid technological change, social pressures, uncertainty about the future, and the challenges of living in an increasingly connected yet sometimes isolated world.
In reflecting on these challenges, Fr General Sosa pointed young adults towards the gift of Ignatian discernment.
“Discernment is a special word. It is a spiritual practice. It is the grace to listen.”
He reminded participants that Ignatian spirituality is not about chasing trends or measuring worth through success and external validation but about listening to God’s movement within their lives. “Ignatian spirituality is not a magic wand or an ideology; it is an instrument to grow closer to Jesus.”
He also encouraged young people not to lose sight of what makes humanity unique. While artificial intelligence may bring new possibilities, human beings possess something irreplaceable—the capacity for conscience, relationships, love, and encounter.
When asked about leading people with diverse backgrounds and opinions, Fr Sosa reflected humbly: “The most important task of the Superior General is to pray—to pray for the Society of Jesus to receive the grace to fulfil its mission.”
With humour, he added that the Superior General is not the head of the Society of Jesus but the “neck”. Jesus remains the head, and Father General’s role is to connect and serve.
Participants were invited to discern where God was calling them to embrace the magis, to reflect on authentic Ignatian leadership, and to translate inspiration into action within their own communities.
Their discernment was aided by the “Human Library” workshops, in which young leaders shared their personal journeys, including their struggles, hopes, and encounters with God.
One of the speakers, Arianne Arshwani Vincent, 26, of SFX Life Teen Ministry, reassured fellow youth leaders who may struggle with “feeling unworthy, feeling out of tune” that they are not alone. “God tunes His instruments but always with gentleness and never force,” she said.
This resonated with Jenna Lee En, 21, of MAGIS Malaysia. Drawing from her own experience as a musician, she reflected on the image of God gently tuning His instruments.
“I’ve had to send my musical instruments to be tuned before, so I had a visual image of that ‘tuning with gentleness’ which made it hit harder,” she said.
Isabel Paramasivam, 34, from Penang, was challenged to reconsider her desire for immediate solutions in a world accustomed to instant results. Reflecting on Waldo Udos’ workshop “I Don’t Know”: The Enchanting Music in Uncertainty, she learnt not to rely solely on her own strength but to trust God’s timing and guidance.
For Rich Junior Richard, 32, from Kota Kinabalu, the gathering deepened his understanding of magis.
“Ignatian leadership and magis are not about doing more for the sake of it but about doing more of what truly matters. I want to apply this in my daily life by serving intentionally, making decisions with greater awareness.”
Following the workshops, participants gathered in small groups for Spiritual Conversation, also known as the MAGIS Circle. Engaging in communal discernment, they sensed God’s presence through one another’s experiences.
The gathering concluded with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr General Sosa and concelebrated by Fr Jojo Magdia SJ, General Counsellor and Regional Assistant for Asia Pacific, Fr Tomasz Kot SJ, Regional Assistant and General Counsellor for Central and Eastern Europe, and Jesuit priests from the Xavier Hall Community, including MAS Regional Superior Fr Francis Lim SJ and the Local Superior Fr Christopher Wee.
At the Eucharist, Fr Sosa invited everyone to pray for two gifts: greater faith in God who works according to His own time and pace, and patience with oneself and with others.
After Mass, members of MAGIS Malaysia and Singapore gathered for a special fellowship session, marking the first time both communities journeyed together in person. It became a significant moment of connection as both communities prepare for MAGIS 2027 in Korea.
