An Advent pilgrimage
Fr Paul Nicholson SJ has written a book of spiritual exercises for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, entitled An Advent Pilgrimage.
Pope Francis appeals for hospitality and justice during visit to JRS
After his visit to Lampedusa, Pope Francis again made a call in favour of welcoming refugees at a visit to the soup kitchen of Centro Astalli (Jesuit Refugee Service Italy).
Refugees endure terrible journeys fleeing violence and conflict in their countries of origin in the hope they will be able to offer a better life to their children, the Pope told those gathered in the Chiesa del Gesù, a Jesuit church in the centre of Rome where the headquarters of JRS Italy is located.
Frederico Lombardi SJ named Communicator of the Year
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The financial services company Allianz Group has named the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, as Communicator of the Year.
The prize was awarded on April 18 during a meeting of the company’s communications directors who meet once a year to analyse themes and strategies tied to the world of communications.
Structures for mission
In September, the six Conference Presidents gathered in Rome for their annual meeting with Fr General. Although we came from very different parts of the world, we could experience much in common in our roles of service to the Society’s global mission.
The suffering of the Church in Cambodia
In a recent interview, Fr Enrique (Kike) Figaredo Alvargonzález SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, spoke of the suffering of the Church in Cambodia under the persecution of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.
“It is a martyr Church,” said Fr Figaredo. “The Church in Cambodia was completely levelled. All our leaders… bishops, priests, nuns, many catechists, were killed. Those who weren’t killed died of hunger or disease, and the community remained in a very bad state.”
The suffering did not end after the end of the regime.
The state of the Society
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.
A simple man
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.
Honoured for remaining with the oppressed
Portuguese Jesuit Father José Alves Martíns was one of six consecrated religious men awarded Timor Leste’s second highest medal by the newly sworn-in President, Taur Matan Ruak, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the country’s restoration of independence on May 20, 2012. The President conferred upon the religious the Medalha de Mérito de Dom Marito da Costa Lópes on May 22 in recognition of their contributions during the struggle and fight of the people of Timor Leste for independence during the 24 years of Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 1999.
Changing to best serve the universal mission
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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.
Lent: The Seven Deadly Sins on film
During the penitential season of Lent, Thinking Faith will be reflecting upon the ‘seven deadly sins’ by relating each of them to a film. It begins with a look at the powerful thriller Seven, starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, and examines the history of the seven deadly sins, asking what accounts for their perennial attraction.
Fr Nicholas Austin SJ