Seventeen Jesuit scholastics were ordained deacon in Manila on September 8. They were an international group from nine Provinces and Regions in three Conferences, Asia Pacific, South Asia and Africa. Six of the new deacons are from the Philippine Province and the other 11 from Arrupe International Residence (AIR).
A group of 20 – 19 Jesuits and a Protestant pastor – gathered in Tokyo in August to explore the links between Ignatian Spirituality and Buddhism in the third Buddhist Christian Dialogue Workshop. Held in Tokyo from August 14 to 16, the workshop was themed “Buddha and Ignatius”.
Dialogue with people of other faiths is particularly important for Jesuits working in Asia, which is home to several major religions such as Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism, and inter-religious dialogue is a major dimension of the Jesuit commitment to be companions of Jesus and servants of his mission.
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.
Fr Pierre Ceyrac SJ died in Chennai late last month at the age of 98. He was one of the most remarkable Jesuits I have met. Several entries in Wikipedia refer to him, always as ‘the famous Pierre Ceyrac’. This epithet usually designates someone with a well-crafted public personality. Pierre was different. He was so totally transparent that he invited everyone he met into his inner self. That is why he became so widely known and loved.
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.
The annual camp of a new Catholic youth movement run by Jesuits in Bangladesh is providing a fresh approach to youth formation that many participants say is both fascinating and useful.
Around 70 students from across the country attended the MAGIS (Marching and Growing in Solidarity) Bangla camp held at St. Leo Church in Baromari in Mymensingh diocese from November 8 to 12.
In the spirit of inter-religious dialogue, a recent symposium for Jesuit scholars of Buddhism began with an Aarti or ‘lamp lighting’ ceremony.
INDIA − Jesuits are known for striving to be on the frontiers, not just geographically but across ministries. In India, Fr. Prashant Olalekar SJ epitomises this missionary spirit with his work with a “movement meditation” called Interplay in Mumbai.
A member of the team at Retreat House Bandra in Mumbai, Fr Prashant learnt about Interplay, an Eastern-based practice, during a visit to the United States. He now conducts classes with Interplay India, bringing movement and dance to those seeking spiritual guidance and connections.
Sameeksha, the Jesuit Centre for Indian Spirituality, Kalady (Kerala Province), India, has been recognised by the Mahatma Gandhi State University as a Research Centre in Philosophy. Research students holding a Masters in Philosophy from any approved university can apply here for doing doctoral studies. Two Jesuits have been approved as guides, but the assistance of several competent Indian Jesuits can be expected.
April 15, 2010. On the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of EAPI, the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific appoints Fr Arthur Leger SJ as the next director of the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), commencing June 01, 2010. Fr Leger succeeds Fr Jeyaraj Rasiah SJ, who leaves Manila on May 19 and will assume his new role Provincial of Sri Lanka on May 24.