EUROPE/ITALY - 30 years of the Jesuit Refugee Service: "caring for those who have no one to care for them”

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - On November 14, 1980, the Father General of the Society of Jesus, Spaniard Fr. Pedro Arrupe, founded the Jesuit Refugee Service, inviting all Jesuits to "care for those who have no one to care for them.” The first activity of the JRS was to help and assist the Vietnamese boat people. Today, the JRS is an international humanitarian organization that has projects in 51 countries worldwide and has expanded its activities with refugees, serving in education, healthcare, and protection of human rights. The priority of the Jesuit Refugee Service, since its inception, is being able to provide a secure future for forced migrants in particular by investing in their education and training. JRS provides education services at all levels and vocational training to about 300,000 migrants, including children, youth, and adults.
To commemorate 30 years of service to refugees, JRS, the Astalli Center, and the Foundation Magis have organized several events. On November 9, at 4 pm, Fr. Mark Raper, SJ (former director of the JRS International) will give a lecture at the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome) entitled "The world mobilised. The Jesuit Response to Refugees," and a photographic exhibition on the work of JRS in the world will be inaugurated. On November 13, at the Basilica of San Saba in Rome, there will be a concert by “Sonidos de la Tierra,” on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Father Matteo Ricci. The 40 young musicians of the orchestra “Sonidos de la Tierra” are the result of one of the musical projects promoted by the Jesuits in the JRS camps run in various parts of the world to help children from poor families. On November 14, the Solemn Mass at the Gesu Church will be presided by Jesuit Father General, Adolfo Nicolás, followed by a concert by “Sonidos de la Tierra.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 09/11/2010)