A Jesuit novice from the United States reflects on the five months he spent in full-time apostolic work in Micronesia, in the Long Experiment that is but one of a series of experiments in which Jesuits participate during their formation. Tim Casey nSJ taught at Yap Catholic High School in Micronesia.
Representatives from each Jesuit Province converged on Nairobi, Kenya, for the Congregation of Procurators that was held from July 9 to 15, 2012.
The Congregation of Procurators is called into session by Father General every four years after the end of a General Congregation. The 84 Procurators present were elected by their Provinces and 13 others participated ex officio. There were 7 Procurators from Africa, 14 from Latin America, 18 from South Asia, 7 from Asia Pacific, 29 from South, Central- Eastern and Western Europe, 9 from the United States.
The Society is now at a new stage brought about by a couple of converging factors – the demographic realities and how we can best serve the universal mission today.
Our numbers have been in decline for the last 40 years – from over 30,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 18,000 today. The steep declines in Europe and North America and consistent decline in Latin America have not been offset by the significant increase in South Asia and a small rise in Africa.
A group of young Jesuits in the United States has launched a new website called The Jesuit Post. The content will range widely, with hopes of covering “Jesus, politics, and pop-culture … the Catholic Church, sports, and Socrates”.
The first set of articles include pieces on Dr Who, the New Translation of the Roman Missal, Tim Tebow, yoga, Paula Deen, and health care reform.
The Loyola University Chicago School of Nursing has partnered with Yersin University School of Nursing in Dalat and the Lam Dong Province Nursing Association in a unique Masters of Science in Nursing programme. Six Vietnamese teachers of nursing are enrolled in the two and a half year programme, which begins in June 2011.
Australian Jesuit Fr Jeremy Clarke SJ sees his role as a Jesuit, a teacher and an advocate of culture as the bridge between different communities. In his two years at Boston College, he has worked to build that bridge – between East and West, between faculty and students.
Upon meeting Rev. Jeremy Clarke, S.J., one thing becomes immediately clear – this man hails from the land of Oz. Australian by birth, his traditional accent often initially distracts its listener, letting the ear become entranced by the unfamiliar dialect. Listen to the voice behind the accent, though. It has the knowing confidence from years of study of Chinese culture, language, and history. It bears warmth that appeals to his students and mentees.
Fr Mitch Pacwa SJ, the host of “EWTN Live”, discusses at length the foundation and history of the Society of Jesus with Fr John Padberg SJ, noted historian and director of the Institute of Jesuit Sources based in Saint Louis, USA.
The segment, which runs almost an hour, features many titbits of Jesuit history such as:
Fr Patxi Álvarez de los Mozos SJ, secretary of Social Justice & Ecology for the Society of Jesus, explains the intertwined nature of working for social justice with a connection to ecological issues during this video interview he conducted with National Jesuit News during his visit from his headquarters in Rome to the United States. Fr de los Mozos encourages Jesuits and their partners to work toward justice, peace and environmental care worldwide.