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During the last month Father General held a meeting with the Superiors of the Italian Province (April 14), participated in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of History and Cultural Heritage of the Church at the Gregorian University (April 17) and joined the community of the Gesù International College celebrating 40 years of its foundation (April 25). On April 28 he paid a visit to the Saint Luigi Theological Faculty in Naples.
At the very end of the General Congregation the delegates, as called for by the Formula (n. 142, & 4) voted unanimously that the General, according to the mind of Congregation and after consultation with deliberative vote of those Fathers of the General Curia who have the right by reason of their office to attend a General Congregation, may make corrections which are clearly necessary, and resolve any contradictions that may be found. He also may polish the style and change the order of the decrees if it seems to help.
On behalf of Father General the Secretary of the Society, Fr. Ignacio Echarte, wrote on April 22 a letter to All Major Superiors to inform them about the progress of the preparation undertaken at the Curia with a view to the promulgation of the General Congregation documents. To adjust the texts in three languages (English, French, Spanish) and “polish the style” has taken longer than expected. Father Echarte calculates that the promulgation of the six decrees and the rest of the documents approved by the General Congregation could be made “in a few weeks time” (the letter was dated April 22).
The Secretariat of Ignatian Spirituality (CIS) has announced a course/workshop on “Common Apostolic Discernment in the light of the 35th G.C.” to be held in Rome from January 19 to February 3, 2009. The three main objectives of the course are:
a) to animate the changes in our life style (personal, community and apostolic) the main lines as proposed by the Congregation
b) to encourage the experience of a common apostolic discernment
c) to develop the skills necessary to apply the method of common discernment to local apostolic needs
The course is directed towards those interested in the Ignatian directives for common apostolic discernment, e.g. (Jesuits, religious men and women, diocesan priests, and laity, etc.). At least a passive familiarity with English, is required to participate in the conferences. Work by linguistic groups is also planned.
For further information contact: Secretariat for Ignatian Spirituality, Borgo S. Spirito 4, C.P. 6139, 00195 Roma-Prati (Italia). Email: cisdir@sjcuria.org
EAST AFRICA: KENYA
In collaboration with the Episcopal Conference of Kenya and the Charitable Funds of England and Wales Bishops, the Jesuit Hakimani Center has launched a project to involve Christian and Muslim leaders in the promotion of national reconciliation and the healing of wounds caused by the violence that has afflicted the country since the elections of December 2007. “The Peace Ambassadors” want to work towards the revival of the national unity based on conscience examination, acceptance of tolerance, respect for diversity, community dialogue and personal contribution to the country’s future.
TARRACONENSE
The Jesuits of Catalonia (Spain) offer a two-month experience program in the privilege surroundings of Manresa from February 1 to March 31. The program provides a time for prayer and reflection regarding the challenges that today’s culture presents to Christian life. The theological sessions will be conducted by members of “Cristianismo y Justicia”. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants but it is also possible to attend only the afternoon sessions. For information and reservation: Reciclaje Manresa 2009, cmarcet@jesuites.net
ITALY
The Society of Jesus was canonically erected on April 22, 1540. Coinciding with this anniversary, the Church of Gesù officially celebrated the conclusion of the restoration of Saint Ignatius’ altar. Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, presided at the solemn concelebration attended by a large group of civil and cultural authorities of the Italian Government. Members of the team who carried out the restoration were also present. The altar of Saint Ignatius is the work of Brother Andrea Pozzo.
In pure baroque style Pozzo gave visual expression to the Ignatian spirituality. Following the theatrical taste of the time, Pozzo built a mechanism to raise or lower a marvellously painted curtain to conceal or display the statute of Saint Ignatius. Heavily deteriorated by the passage of time, the curtain has been restored to its original splendour. From now on, at 17:30 everyday the curtain will be lowered to display the statute of Ignatius. Light and sound have been added to enhance this interpretation of Ignatius spirituality as expressed by Brother Pozzo.
DELEGATION OF ROMAN HOUSES
The last bulletin of the Gregorian University gives some statistics regarding the statistics of the 2007-08 academic year:
Enrollment: 2.601 students
Nationalities represented: 131
Non-catholic students: 35
Professors: 396 of whom 46 are Jesuits, 6 diocesan priests, 8 religious men, 1 religious woman, 1 layman , 6 laywomen.