SHOWING THE WAY TO GOD
Fr Brian McCoy SJ
Former Australian Provincial
For me there are two important dates in 2026. I will be praying for grace to enter into the gift of each one.
One is the 175th anniversary of the forming of the first Jesuit community in Australia on Ngadjuri land in 1851.
The second is the 40th anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Alice Springs, November 29, 1986.
Both events hold memories of promise.
The establishing of the first Jesuit community here in Australia was built on hope arising out of vulnerability and uncertainty and the displacement of the Ngadjuri people. What can we learn from that Jesuit and companion journey?
The visit of Pope John Paul II and his address to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people planted seeds of hope. How have we, individually and as a Church, responded to his call and challenge?
Fr Peter Hosking SJ
Rector, Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide
Creator God, as our planet groans under heat and flood, spark in us the courage to live simply, act boldly, and care for Earth as our shared home. In a world sceptical of institutions yet longing for meaning, renew our churches as places of listening, healing and hope. Lift our eyes beyond what we see, so we find faith in the transcendent and hope in what endures — giving true purpose to life.
Risen Jesus, in this anxious and isolated age, breathe calm into our minds, friendship into our lives, and resilience into our hearts. When endless scrolling leaves us empty, awaken faith that steadies, hope that lifts, and love that unites. As technology and AI shape our choices, guide us — and especially young people — to use these tools with wisdom, justice and joy, always serving humanity with compassion and purpose.
Holy Spirit, in a world fractured by fear and echo chambers, guide our hearts to choose the good spirit of peace, humility and kindness. Help leaders build trust and heal what is broken. As families flee war and hunger, move us from fear to welcome, from walls to bridges, and from indifference to solidarity — so our choices reflect love, not division, and lead us toward hope and wholeness.
Fr Bill Uren SJ
Scholar in Residence, Newman College (University of Melbourne)
I pray for the members of the Australian Jewish community, all of whose lives are threatened by the recent tragedy at Bondi. May the Australian community respond generously to them and assure them that they are an integral part of our national heritage.
I pray for the people of Gaza, of Ukraine, of Myanmar and Afghanistan, of South Sudan and other places where war and ambition have torn communities apart, have destroyed homes and dwelling places, have diminished freedom and obliterated culture. May God’s peace be negotiated in all of these situations.
I pray for those who minister to the sick, the incarcerated and the disabled. May their generous service awaken new hope and new aspirations in all to whom they bring the message of God’s love.
I pray for the Church. Under the leadership of Pope Leo, may we continue along the way of synodality and wider consultation.
Fr Richard Leonard SJ
Parish Priest, Our Lady of the Way, North Sydney
- Peace in places of conflict, especially those places given little attention in Australia, like the Sudan.
- Environmental renewal and climate stability.
- Healing of the Church and renewal in its mission, especially for a deeper valuing of women’s leadership.
- Mental health and well-being, especially for young people struggling with anxiety, despair, or loneliness.
- Economic and social justice, especially for fair access to housing, education and employment.
- Refugees and migrants, especially for nations and communities with open hearts and wise policies.
- Reconciliation in societies divided by politics or ideology, especially for a gentler public square.
- Personal intentions for growth – for the grace to forgive when it’s hard, and for a joy that comes from experiences God’s personal love.
Fr Steve Sinn SJ
Leader of the Bridge Community, Bathurst
Jesus the Nazarene, keep me close to you. Forgive me my failings. Let your spirit live in my heart, in my thoughts and in my actions. Let not my heart be fearful. You wept over Jerusalem and for Lazarus. Draw me into the anguish at the heart of our world and the pain of loving another. Teach me to love as you loved.
Steve Sinn lives in Bathurst with homeless men, most of them from prison.
Fr Justin Glyn SJ
General Counsel, Australian Province of the Society of Jesus
Lord, we have become atomised and selfish:
We pray for reconnection with you and with each other;
We pray that, through those reconnections, we may share the life you give us with all; and
We pray that, in doing so, we may contribute to the healing of the non-human world that you have given as our only home.
Fr Iain Radvan SJ
Ecclesial Assistant for the Christian Life Community
I will be praying that the next Provincial, whoever he may be, will be able to lead the Province with vision and courage when he takes on the role next year. Also that the Province will continue to support climate policies that honour and protect Earth. That our Jesuit communities be places of friendship and mutual support.
Fr Michael Ryan SJ
Superior, Campion House, Melbourne
St Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises would have us be open in our daily lives to God’s initiatives, that we might tune ourselves to God, growing in an “intimate knowledge” of Our Lord and his ways. My prayer is that we would more regularly turn to a contemplative stance with the Gospel, our Good News, that we may know him more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly.
Fr Richard Shortall SJ
Diocesan Missionary of Mercy, Retreat and Spiritual Director for the Hamilton Diocese and Spiritual Director at the Good Shepherd Seminary, Auckland, New Zealand
First, I am giving thanks that the Jubilee Year of Hope has been a time of special grace for the people of our Diocese of Hamilton in New Zealand. I am especially thankful that my ministry of the ear as the Missionary of Mercy in the diocese during this Jubilee Year was so well received by many parishioners – giving them an inviting opportunity to tell their story and to ease the weight of some of their weighty burdens.
Second, I am praying for a more intense listening among world leaders in the search for peace in warring nations. I particularly hold in my heart the desires of children and young people to live without the constant sound of bombs and bullets – in Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza and many parts of Africa.
Third, I pray for our small and insignificant nation, that all New Zealanders will strive to listen respectfully to each other, rather than engaging in the constant shouting that unfortunately marks our culture at the moment.
Matthew Pinson SJ
Recently ordained deacon at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College in the United States.
In my own life, I’ll be moving from my studies to a new mission during 2026, so I’m praying for the grace of experiencing this new mission as yet another phase of my relationship with our ever-faithful God.
I’ll be praying for Pope Leo as he finishes his first year and moves into the second of his papacy. I will be united with him in prayer for what he identifies as some of the situations of urgent need in today’s world: peace in areas of conflict, just and humane use of technology, welcome for migrants, and recognition of the good news of the gospel.
To enquire about becoming a Jesuit in Australia, contact vocations@sjasl.org.au or for more information, visit our Vocations page.
Banner image: Belle Co, Pexels.