ASIA/INDIA - For mission in a context of globalisation and religious pluralism India’s Jesuits retrace the steps of their fathers, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier and Blessed Pedro Fabre

Tuesday, 7 November 2006

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New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - In view of more significant and effective missionary activity in the Indian context, the Jesuits of India organised a meeting at the National Catechism Centre in Bangalore to focus on three founding members of the Society of Jesus: Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, Blessed Pedro Fabre and the legacy of these great fathers. The event was also part of celebrations for important anniversaries in 2006: 450 years since the death of Saint Ignatius of Loyola; 500 years since the birth of Saint Francis Xavier “apostle of the Indies” and Blessed Pedro Fabre. With seven other companions these three men formed a community of study and spiritual research which led to the Society of Jesus approved by Pope Paul II in 1540, the first congregation of apostolic life.
During the meeting the participants said the commemoration of those first companions gives Jesuits today new courage to promote in keeping with the specific charisma of the Society, suited to the context of India, faith and love for God, peace and justice for the “greater glory of God” as St Ignatius motto and for the material and spiritual good of the people of India. Today there are about 150 Indian Jesuits in Bangalore.
Asian Jesuit Provincial Fr Hector D’Souza said the Holy Spirit inspires and moves in the time of Jesus, of the Apostles and then in the time of Ignatius and today all Indian religious strive to put their talents at the service of the Kingdom of God. The Society of Jesus, Fr Hector said, was born for mission and he encouraged those present to use new imagination and creativity in evangelisation and pastoral work.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of mission in the media in a context of globalisation, commercialisation and religious pluralism: in the fields of social work to assist the poor and education of the new generations, areas in which India’s Catholics have always distinguished themselves. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/11/2006 righe 32 parole 320)