Pedro Arrupe and the Society’s educational mission (with Kieran Gill SJ)
Kieran Gill SJ talks about how Pedro Arrupe helped inspire Jesuit educational institutions in forming ‘men and women for others’, and describes how his own vocation led him into teaching.
Kieran: ‘[Fr Arrupe] helped us to see that our mission is to form people who are inspired by the person of Jesus, and to form men and women who are living out their baptismal call to holiness in all aspects of their lives and in a whole variety of endeavours.’
St Francis Xavier and availability for mission (with Andy Nguyen SJ)
Andy Nguyen SJ talks about Francis Xavier’s response to Ignatius’ request for him to travel to India as a missionary, and how that exemplifies the Jesuits’ availability for mission.
Andy: ‘The Jesuits throughout our history have given ourselves to the service of the Church and God’s people. Availability for mission, for me, is a readiness to go where the Church needs the Jesuits to serve – where the needs of the Church are greatest.’
Miguel Pro and ‘going beyond for God’s sake’ (with Ramesh Richards SJ)
Ramesh Richards SJ shares the story of Blessed Miguel Pro, who was executed in Mexico ninety years ago on 23 November 1927. He talks about how Miguel Pro’s story inspired his own vocational journey.
Ramesh: ‘That sense of mission, that sense of availability, that sense of going beyond his comfort for God’s sake, is what attracts me.’
Richie Fernando and authentic spirituality (with Nico Lariosa SJ)
Nico Lariosa SJ shares the story of Jesuit teacher Richie Fernando, and talks about how it helped him discover what it means to give your life to Christ.
Nico Lariosa SJ: ‘I remember saying to myself, “Whatever he had, to give up his life like that, I want it for myself, too.’
Matteo Ricci and dialogue with other cultures (with Alan Wong SJ)
Alan Wong SJ talks about Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, and how he inspired his own work in China. Alan will be ordained a deacon on 2 September 2017.
Alan Wong SJ: ‘The Chinese people regard Matteo Ricci very highly because he brought the message of the Gospel, and also he was a model for cultural exchange… That was something that stayed with me when I was in China as well. How do you bring the Gospel message to the people today?’
St Ignatius Loyola and the Spiritual Exercises (with Rob Morris SJ)
In the first video of our new series, Rob Morris SJ talks about St Ignatius Loyola, and the Spiritual Exercises. Rob will be ordained a deacon on 2 September 2017.
Rob Morris SJ: ‘I think the Spiritual Exercises, in addition to ongoing spiritual direction, is key to a young man discerning a vocation. Because ultimately, the exercises underscore that this life is about our relationship with Christ, and unless we have really come to know Christ, only through that do we come to understand what our deepest desire and vocation in life is.’
For more information about becoming a Jesuit, contact us at vocations@sjasl.org.au.