By Erik Oland, SJ It has been a while since I wrote a piece for Companions about the experience of one of my formal visitations. That is, the Provincial spends much of his time on the road visiting regions of the province and meeting with Jesuits and partners in order to gauge the pulse of …
Hope Amidst Chaos: A Reflection on the Jesuits’ Enduring Impact in Haiti Read More »
By Fannie Dionne Prolific writer and speaker, America Media’s editor-at-large, consultant for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication: American Jesuit Fr. James Martin is one of the most well-known Jesuits after Pope Francis. This is due in part from his undeniable talent for making Ignatian spirituality accessible to everyone, but also to his vocal commitment to …
Between Jesus, books and LGBTQ advocacy: Fr. James Martin, SJ Read More »
By Daniel Simoncic In early 2019, Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, unveiled the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) that guide the actions of the Society of Jesus for the next decade. The result of a communal discernment process, the UAPs are articulated as follows: Showing the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment; Walking …
An Update on The Gesù, A Jesuit Hub in the Heart of Montreal Read More »
Several Jesuits have been participating for years in televised and/or online masses. These masses mainly reach older people who can no longer get around or who have no one to help them get to church. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesuit ministries and parishes have had to adapt to the new reality, putting …
Beyond the Screen: Advantages and Challenges of TV and Online Masses Read More »
As elsewhere, much has changed here in Wiikwemkoong since the beginning of the pandemic. One of the changes is that I have not been able to go to the local nursing home for weekly masses, which I used to do. – Fr. Paul Robson, SJ Within the Jesuit Province of Canada, the various apostolates and …
Overcoming Isolation and Reaching Elders during COVID-19 Read More »
Chain-smoking, dishevelled, even hearing confessions in a bar: Fr. Martin Royackers, SJ, never ceased to amaze. According to several sources, he rarely made a good first impression. Yet this Canadian Jesuit with a razor-sharp mind was a strong advocate for human rights, deeply committed to social justice, and firmly rooted in his relationship with God. …
Cigarettes, Coffee, and Justice: The Unusual Holiness of Martin Royackers, SJ Read More »
The pandemic has forced the closure of parishes and other churches across Canada. Although lockdown restrictions continue to be eased and churches are now open, health regulations remain in place and a likely second wave of COVID-19 is expected. How can we reach parishioners and other people of faith in this context? Bill Hatch, outreach …
How Jesuit churches adapt to COVID-19: Two examples Read More »