Myanmar celebrates 500 years of Christianity
26 Nov 2014

Myanmar celebrates 500 years of Christianity

by | posted in: Province News | 0

A multitude from the remotest edges of Myanmar converged on Yangon to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in the country.  According to Fr Chinnappan Amalraj SJ, Delegate for the Jesuit Myanmar Mission, they occupied all the empty spaces in and around the churches, halls, even Hindu temples.  

Fr Joseph Aik Maung SJ, who was ordained in May, led one group of the Kachins who came from the northernmost dioceses.  Fr Aik Maung is one of only three Myanmar priests in the Society of Jesus.

Being companions to indigenous peoples
27 Oct 2014

Being companions to indigenous peoples

by | posted in: Indigenous Ministry | 0

The recent Jesuit Companions in Indigenous Ministry meeting in Myanmar provided its participants with fresh opportunities to reflect on their own contexts. There are 135 ethnic communities in Myanmar, who constitute one third of the country’s population of 56 million. The largest minority groups are the Shan (9%), the Karen (7%), and the rest combined constitute less than 5 % of the population.

The purpose of Jesuit studies is apostolic
21 Jul 2014

The purpose of Jesuit studies is apostolic

by | posted in: Formation | 0

Solid formation of Jesuits is critical for the Society of Jesus to effectively carry out of its mission. It was with this uppermost in mind that 20 Jesuits came together in the annual JCAP Formators’ Circle meeting held in Singapore from June 27 to 30. The Jesuits were mainly Formation Delegates of the provinces, regions and missions within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific as well as rectors of colleges and other key personnel in the area of formation.

Jesuit institute in Myanmar confers its first diplomas in education
21 Jul 2014

Jesuit institute in Myanmar confers its first diplomas in education

by | posted in: Education | 0

St Aloysius Gonzaga English Language Institute (SAG) marked a major milestone on July 5, with the granting of its first diplomas in education to 22 students who had successfully completed its three-year full-time Integrated Program.  The graduating students received their diplomas from principal guest Bishop Basilio Athai of the Archdiocese of Taunggyi and Fr Mark Raper SJ, Major Superior of the Jesuits in Myanmar. 

An experience of synergy among development officers
27 May 2014

An experience of synergy among development officers

by | posted in: JCAP News | 0

In the mathematics of synergy, 1 plus 1 does not equal 2, but 3 or more. The sum total of the experience and practical know-how of the group is greater than just the added up experience and contributions of the individuals. This was the case at the recent Development Officers meeting, which brought together representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor Leste, and Australia with Karen Goh from JCAP and Fr Jorge Serrano SJ from the Curia in Rome joining as resource persons.

Vietnamese scholastics prepare for ministry in media
28 Mar 2014

Vietnamese scholastics prepare for ministry in media

by | posted in: Social Communications | 0

Having made communication one of the Province’s priority missions, the Jesuit Vietnam Province has been sending scholastics to media outlets across the world for the Regency stage of their formation, during which they work for two or more years in a ministry. Stephen Tran Thien Kinh SJ and Anthony Nguyen Van Loi SJ are two of these Vietnamese scholastics.  They were assigned to Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN), the leading independent Catholic news source in Asia, where they hope to acquire skills in media that will prepare them for ministry in their Province.

Going back to serve my people
27 Mar 2014

Going back to serve my people

by | posted in: Education | 0

As Myanmar emerges from decades of military dictatorship, the scramble is on among young Burmese to educate themselves so that they might take advantage of the economic growth that is already transforming the country. 

Myint Myint Maw is acutely aware of the advantages that education can bring: she was one of the few children lucky enough to complete their high school education in the village of Popa near the ancient, pagoda-dotted city of Bagan; and she emerged from university a few years later with an engineering degree.

First Myanmar Jesuit gathering
31 Jan 2014

First Myanmar Jesuit gathering

by | posted in: Education, Social Justice | 0

All members of the Myanmar Jesuit Mission residing in the country gathered for the first time to share their thoughts and experiences of the Mission.  The three-day gathering in late December provided the group with an opportunity to meet and share their experience as Jesuits, deepen their understanding of the mission, and explore the future needs of the Church in Myanmar and the role of the Society of Jesus in that future. The rapid changes taking place in the country make this a matter of urgency for the Church and the Society.